against it, and then hale to the Northwards with the crosse which standethin the maine, and you shall haue at a lowe water 10. foote water, and fairesand. And if you be disposed to goe through the Sound to the Southwards,keepe the Northwest shoare aboorde, for on the Island side after you beshotte so far in as the crosse, it is a shoale of rockes halfe the soundouer: which rockes do last vnto the Southerly part of the great Island, andrather to the Southwards. And if you be constrained to seeke a harbor forNortherly windes, when you come out of the sea hale in with the Southerlypart of the great Island, gluing the Island a faire birth, and as youshoote towards the maine, you shall finde roade for all Northerly windes,in foure fadome, fiue, sixe, and seuen fadome, at a lowe water.

Also within this great Island (if neede bee) you may haue a good place toground a ship in: the great Island is almost a mile long and a quarter of amile ouer.

This storm of Northerly winde lasted vntill the 16. of this moneth and thenthe winde came Southerly, but we could not get out for ice. I went on shoreat the crosse, and tooke the latitude, which is 66. degrees, 58. minutes,30. seconds: the variation of the Compasse 3. degrees and a halfe from theNorth to the East.

Thursday (17) being faire weather, and the winde at North we plied to thewinde-wards with sailes and oares: wee stopped the flood this day threeleagues to the Northwards of Cape Race, two miles from the shore, and hadtwentie fadome water, faire gray and blacke sand, and broken shels. Andwhen the slake came wee wayed and made aboord to the shoare-wards, and hadwithin two cables length of the shoare, eighteene fadomes faire gray andblacke sand: a man may finde roade there for a North winde, and so to theWestwards.

Two leagues to the Southward of Corpus Christi poynt, you may haue Landfangfor a North and by East-winde, and from that to the Westwards in 23. fadomealmost a mile from shoare, and faire sand, and amongst the sand little yongsmall limpets, or such like as growe vpon muscles: and within two cableslength and lesse of the shoare are eighteene fadomes, and the soundingaforesayd, but the yong limpets more plentifull. It was a full sea where weroade, almost a mile from shoare, at a South and by West moone: two leaguesto the Southwards of Corpus Christi point is the vttermost land, which landand Cape Race lyeth South and halfe a point to Westwards, and North andhalfe a point to the Eastwards, and between them are sixe leagues. Ridingthis day (19) sixe leagues to the Northwards of Cape Race, the winde atNorthnorthwest, with mist and frost, at noone the sunne appeared throughthe mist, so that I had the latitude in 67. degrees, 29. minutes.

Munday (21) we were thwart of Corpus Christi point, two leagues and a halfefrom shoare, or rather more, where we sounded, and had 36. fadoms, andbroken cocle shels, with brannie sand, but the broken shels very thicke.

Tuesday (22) in the morning we were shotte a head of Cape gallant, whichthe Russes call Sotinoz. And as were shot almost halfe a league betwixt it,and Cape comfort, the wind came vp at the Northwest, and after to theNorthwards, so that we were faine to beare roome to seeke a harbour, wherewe found good harbour for all windes, and the least 7. fadome waterbetweene S. Iohns Islands and the maine.

After that we came to an ancre, we tooke the latitude, which was 68.degrees, 1 minute, after noone, the winde at North with plentie of snowe.

At a West Sunne there came aboord us certaine Lappians in a boate, to thenumber of sixeteene persons, and amongst them there were two wenches, andsome of them could speake the Russe tongue: I asked them where theirabiding was, and they tolde mee that there was a companie or heard of them,to the number of 100. men, besides women and children, but a little from vsin the riuer Iekonga.

They tolde me that they had bene to seeke meate among the rockes, saying,If wee get no meate, wee eate none. I sawe them eate rocke weedes ashungerly, as a cowe doeth grasse when shee is hungrie. I sawe them alsoeate foules egges rawe, and the yong birdes also that were in the egges.

I obserued certaine wordes of their language, which I thought good to setdowne for their vse, that hereafter shall haue occasion to continue thisvoyage.

COWGHTIE COTEAT, what call you this.PODDYTHECKE, come hither.AUANCHYTHOCKE, get the hence.ANNA, farewell.TEYRUE, good morrowe.IOMME LEMAUFES, I thanke you.PASSEUELLIE, a friend.OLMUELKE, a man.CAPTELLA, a woman.ALKE, a sonne.NEIT, a daughter, or yong wench.OVUIE, a head.CYELME, an eye.NENNA, a nose.NEALMA, a mouth.PANNEA, teeth.NEUGHTEMA, a tongue.SEAMAN, a beard.PEALLEE, an eare.TEAPPAT, the necke.VOAPT, the haire.KEAT, a hand.SOARME, fingers.IOWLKIE, a legge.PEELKIE, the thombe, or great toe.SARKE, wollen cloth.LEIN, linnen cloth.PAYTE, a shirt.TOL, fire.KEATSE, water.MURR, wood.VANNACE, a boate.ARICA, an oare.NURR, a roape.PEYUE, a day.HYR, a night.PEVUEZEA, the Sunne.MANNA, the Moone.LASTE, starres.COSAM VOLKA, whither goe you.OTTAPP, sleepe.TALLYE, that.KEIEDDE PIEUE, a weeke.ISCKIE, a yeere.KESSE, Sommer.TALUE, Winter.IOWKSAM, colde.PAROX, warme.ABRYE, raine.YOUGHANG, yce.KEATYKYE, a stone.SELLOWPE, siluer.SOLDA, golde.TENNAE, tinne.VESKUE, copper.ROWADT, yron.NEYBX, a knife.AXSHE, a hatchet.LEABEE, bread.IEAUEGOAT, meale.PENCKA, the winde.IOWTE, A platter.KEMNIE, a kettle.KEESTES, gloues.SAPEGE, shoes.CONDE, a wilde Deare.POATSA, the labouring Deare.

Friday (25) in the morning we departed from Saint Iohns Island: to theWestwards thereof, a mile from the shoare, we sounded, and had 36. fadoms,and oazie sand.

Iuana Creos is from Cape gallant Westnorthwest, and halfe a point to theNorthwards, and betweene them is 7. leagues. The point of the Island, whichis Cape comfort, lyeth from Iuana Creos, Northwest and by North, and almostthe 3. part of a point to the Westwards, and betweene them are 3. leagues.

The Eastermost of S. Georges Islands, or the 7. Islands, lyeth from IuanaCreos Northwest, and halfe a point to the Northwards, and betweene them are14. leagues and a halfe. The vttermost of the 7. Islands, and Cape Comfort,lieth Northwest, and by North, Southeast, and by South.

Vnder the Southermost Island you shall finde good roade for all Northerlywindes from the Northwest to the Northeast. From the Southeast part of the7. Islands, vnto the Northwest part of them, are 3. leagues and a halfe.

From the Northwest part of the Islands aforesaid, vnto S. Peters Islands,are 11. leagues Northwest.

(26). S. Peters Islands rise an indifferent low point, not seeming to be anIsland, and as if it had a castle vpon it.

S. Pauls Islands lie from S. Peters Islands Northwest and to the Westwards,and betweene them are 6. leagues. Within these Islands there is a fairesandy bay, and there may be found a good roade for Northerly windes.

Cape comfort, which is the Island of Kildina, lieth from Cape Sower beere,6. leagues West Northwest, and it is altogether a bay betweene them seemingmany Islands in it.

From Cape Bonauenture, to Chebe Nauoloche are 10. leagues Northwest, and alitle to the Westwards. Chebe Nauoloche is a faire point, whereon standetha certaine blacke, like an emptie butte standing a head.

From Chebe Nauoloch to Kegor, is 9. leagues and a halfe Northwest, andhalfe a poynt to the Westwards. Kegor riseth as you come from the Eastwardslike 2. round homocks standing together, and a faire saddle betweene them.

It floweth where we road this Sunday (27) to the Eastwards of Kegor, at aSoutheast and by East moone, a full sea: we roade in 15. fadome waterwithin halfe a mile of the shoare: at a Northwest Sunne the mist came downeso thicke, that we were faine to come to an ancre within lesse then a mileof the point that turneth to Doms haff, where we had 33. fadome, and thesounding like to the skurfe of a skalde head.

Munday (28) at afternoone, wee came into the Sound of Wardhouse, althoughit were very mistie. Then I sent a man a shoare to know some newes, and tosee whether they would heare any thing of our ships [Marginal note: Whichwere the Bona Esperanza, the Bona confidentia and the Philip and Marie.Whereof the two first were lost].

Tuesday (29) I went on shoare, and dined with the Captaines deputie, whomade mee great cheere: the Captaine himselfe was not as yet come fromBergen: they looked for him euery houre, and they said that he would bringnewes with him.

At a Northwest and by North sunne we departed from Wardhouse, towardColmogro.

Wednesday (30) we came to Kegor, where we met with the winde at EastSoutheast, so that we were faine to go in to a bay to the Westwards of thepoint Kegor, where a man may moare 2. or 3. small ships, that shall notdraw past 11. or 12. foote water, for all windes, an East Northeast windeis the worst. It is a ledge of rocks that defendeth the Northerly windsfrom the place where they moare. When we came into the bay we saw there abarke which was of Dronton [Marginal note: Or, Trondon], and three or foureNorway yeaghes, belonging to Northberne: so when I came a shoare, I metfirst with the Dutchmen, amongst whom was the Borrowmasters sonne ofDronton, who tolde me that the Philip and Mary wintered at Dronton, anddeparted from thence for England in March: and withall he shewed me thatthe Confidence was lost, and that he had bought her sailes for his ship.Then the Dutchmen caried me to their Boothe, and made me good cheere, whereI sawe the Lappians chepen of the said Dutchmen, both siluer platters anddishes, spoones, gilt rings, ornaments for girdles of siluer and gilt, andcertaine things made to hang about the necke, with siluer chaines belongingto them.

The Dutchmen bring hither mightie strong beere, I am certain that ourEnglish double beere would not be liked of the Kerile and Llappians, aslong as that would last.

Here I sawe the Dutchmen also haue course cloth, both blew, greene, andredde, and sad horseflesh colour. And hither they bring also Ottars casesand foxe cases, both blacke and redde: our English foxe cases are butcounterfaits vnto them.

They would not let me vnderstand any of their prises, but as I otherwisevnderstood they bartered 2. load of siluer for 100 of stockfish, and 2.loade is a doller. And the Dutchmen told me, and they had made a notablegood yeere this present yeere 1557. They tolde me that they should be faineto goe to Wardhouse with one lading, and lay it on land there, and so comeagaine and fetch another. The Borrowmasters sonne told me, that he would goto Amsterdam with his lading of stockfish, who gaue me a barrell of strongbeere, and brought it in aboord our ship himseelf.

After this I went among the Russes and Kerils, who offered me fish to sell,and likewise the Lappians desired me to look vpon their fish. I made themanswere, that I had nowe no wares nor money to barter with them, and saidthat I came only to see if I might meete with our English ships. Then theydesired me that I would come thither the next yeere: I said to them, If Ishould come the next yeere, I think here would not be fish ynough to seruethe Dutch and vs also. They answered me, that if more ships did resortthither, there would more people labour to kill and make fish: and furtherthey said, that some of them came thither a fishing 8 weekes iourney withDeere, which Deere will trauaile more speedily then horses will.

As I was thus in talke with the Kerils and Lappians, the Emperour of Russiahis deputie (who was there to gather the tribute of the Lappians) sent forme to come to his tent, who after familiar salutations, made me goodcheere. He demanded of me why none of our ships came thither. I answeredhim, because we knew not the place before now, neither yet heard of anyfaire that was kept there. Then said he, If you will come hither, herewould more people resort to kill fish, I think it good (said he) that youmake a beginning. I tolde him, that by the grace of God the next yeere, oneEnglish ship should come thither.

Because I sawe the seruants of the King of Denmarke there also gatheringthe tribute, I asked Vasilie Pheodoruich the Russie deputie, whether theDenmarks would not be a let to vs, if we should come to this Kegor. And hesaid no, they should not: for this land is my kings, and therefore be boldeto come hither.

The Kerils and the Lappians solde no fish, vntil the said deputie hadlooked upon it, and giuen them leaue to sell. I asked him what wares werebest for vs to bring thither, and he said, siluer, pearles, cloth, blewe,red, and greene, meale, strong beere, wine, pewter, foxe cases, and gold.

The Lappians pay tribute to the Emperour of Russia, to the king ofDenmarke, and to the king of Sweden. He told me that the Riuer Cola islittle more then 20. leagues to the Southwards of Kegor, where we shouldhaue great plentie of salmon, if corne were any thing cheape in Russia: forthen poore men would resort thither to kill salmon.

The Dutchmen tolde me that they had made a good yeere of this, but theKerils complained of it because they could not sell all their fish, andthat which they sold was as pleased the Dutchmen, and at their own price. Iasked the Kerils at what price they sold their fish to the Russes, and theysaid good cheape: wee sell 24. fishes for 4. altines. I thinke they soldelittle aboue 20. pence, the 25. fishes this yeere.

The Dutchmen tolde me that the best stockfish is made at Kegor. I sawe atVasiltes tent 7. or 8. iauelins, and halfe a dozen of bowes bent, withtheir budgets of arrowes, and likewise swords with other weapons: OtherwiseI sawe no weapons there.

I was also conueyed to their lodgings, which gathered tribute for the kingof Denmarke, where I sawe a pair of bilbowes: and I asked whether they werefor the Lappians (if neede were,) and they said no, but onely for theirowne company if they should chance to be vnruly.

The Kerils and the Lappians are not to be trusted, for they will steale aswell as the Russes, if they may conueniently come by any thing.

Concerning my voyage, because the winde was scant to goe backe againe toColmogro, I tarried to the Eastwards of the poynt Kegor, and sent to land,and baked two batches of bread in the ouens that the Kerils haue for theirprouision.

* * * * *

Instructions giuen to the Masters and Mariners to be obserued in and about this Fleete, passing this yeere 1577. toward the Bay of S. Nicolas in Russia, for this present Race to be made and returne of the same by Gods grace to the port of London, the place of their right discharge, as in the Articles ensuing is deduced.

First, it is accorded and agreed betweene the seuerall proprietaries andowners, masters and companies of the foure ships, surnamed the Primrose,the Iohn Euangelist, the Anne and the Trinitie, and the Lieutenant,Consuls, assistants and companie of the Marchant aduenturers, that theaboue named foure ships shall in good order and conduct, saile, passe, andtrauaile together in one flote, ging, and conserue of societie, to be keptindissolubly and not to be seuered, but vnited within continuall sight, sofarre foorth as (by winde and weather) by possibilitie shall or may bewithout any separation or departure of one from the other.

2 Item, it is agreed that the good ship named the Primerose, shalbeAdmirall of this flote, and that Anthonie Ienkinson Gentleman, shalbecaptaine thereof: and that all the other 3. ships shall ensue and folow herin all courses, and that no course or waying (in harborough especially)shall be made without aduice, consent and agreement of the sayd Captaine,the Master, his mate, and two other officers of the said ship, or of threeof them at the least.

3 Item, that the said Anthonie is and shalbe reputed and taken for Captainegeneral of the said flote together with all such orders, preeminences,priuiledges and preferments as by the order of seas is due and accustomedto a Captaine during his abode and exercise of the same.

4 If is also ordeined, that if any one or moe of the said 3. ships shalbeout of sight either before or behinde the Admirall, that then the rest ofthe ships shall tacke or take off their sailes in such sort as they maymeete and come together, in as good order as may be, to the intent to keepethe consortment exactly in all poynts.

5 It is constituted, that if any ships shalbe seuered by mist or darkeweather, in such sort as the one cannot haue sight of the other, then andin such case the Admiral shall make sound and noise by drumme, trumpet,horne, gunne or otherwise or meanes, that the ships may come as nightogether, as by safetie and good order they may.

6 It is also to be obserued, that euery day once the other three shippesshall send and come aboord the Admirall, and there consult and determine ofsuch matter and things as shall be for the assurance of their Nauigation,and most expedition of the same.

7 Item, that notes and entries be daily made of their Nauigations put inwriting and memory, and that the yong Mariners and apprentices may betaught and caused to learne and obserue the same.

8 It is accorded that the said Captaine shall haue the principall rule andgouernement of the apprentices: And that not onely they, but also all theother sailers, shalbe attendant and obedient to him, as of duetie andreason appertaineth.

9 Also that no beere nor broth, or other liquor be spilt vpon the balast,or other place of the ship, whereby any anoyance, stinke, or othervnsauorinesse shall growe in the shippe to the infection or hurt of thepersons in the same.

10 Item, that the Captaine by discretion shall from time to time disshipany artificer or English seruingman or apprentice out of the Primrose intoany other of the three ships, and in lieu of him or them, take any suchapprentice as he shall thinke conuenient and most meete to serue thebenefite of the companie.

11 Item, that great respect be had to the Gunners and Cookes roomes, thatall danger and perill of powder and fire may be eschewed and auoyded.

12 Item, that singular care and respect be had to the ports of the ship,aswell in Nauigation as in harborow, and especially in lading and vnladingof the shippes, that nothing be lacking or surcharged: and that the bookesmay oftentimes be conferred and made to agree in eschuement of such losses,as may ensue.

13 Special foresight is to be had, that at the Wardhouse no trecherie,inuasion, or ether peril of molestation be done or procured to be attemptedto our ships by any kings, princes, or companies, that do mislike this newfound trade by seas to Russia, or would let and hinder the same, where ofno small boast hath bene made; which giueth occasion of more circumspectionand diligence.

14 If the winde and weather will serue, it is thought good rather to goe bythe Wardhouse then to come in and ancre there, lest any male engine, ordanger may be the rather attempted against vs, our goods and ships asaboue.

15 It is thought good that Richard Iohnson, late seruant to M. Chanceler,shall be sent home in this next returne to instruct the company of thestate of the Countrey, and of such questions as may be demanded of him, forour better aduertisements and resolutions, in such doubts as shall arisehere: and that he shall haue the roome of the Captaine in such sort asMaster Ienkinson is in this present cocket assigned vnto. And if Iohnsoncan not, may not, nor will not returne and occupie the said place, then anyother person to be preferred thereunto, as by the discretion of our saidCaptaine, with consent of our Agents, shall be thought meete and apt tosupply the same.

16 Prouided alway, that the ships returning be not disfurnished of one suchable man, as shall occupie the Captainship in like order, as is, and hathbene in such case appoynted, as reason and good order requireth.

17 Item that all other former orders, rules, and deuises, made and prouidedfor the good order of our ships, wares, and goods, being not repugnant,contrary or diuerse to these articles, and the contents of the same, shallbe, and stand in full force and effect to be in all respects obserued andkept of all and euery person and persons, whom the same doth or shall touchor concerne.

In witnesse of the premisses faithfully to be obserued and kept, the ownersand Masters of the said foure ships, together with the said Captaine, tothese seuenteene articles, contained in two sheetes of paper, hauesubscribed their hands. Given in London the third of May, in the yeere ofour Lord God 1557.

A letter of the Company of the Marchants aduenturers to Russia vnto George Killingworth, Richard Gray, and Henry Lane their Agents there, to be deliuered in Colmogro or els where: sent in the Iohn Euangclist.

After our heartie commendations vnto you and to either of you: yourgenerall letter and other particular letters with two bookes of the saleand remainders of our goods, and the buying of wares there with you, wereceiued about the ende of Nouember out of the Edward, with heauie newes ofthe losse of the sayde good shippe and goods at Petslego in Scotland, withthe death of Richard Chancelor and his Boy, with certaine of theEmbassadours seruants, and he himselfe with nine of his seruants escapedvery hardly onely by the power of God: but all his goods and ours in manerwere lost and pilfred away by the Scots, and that that is saued is not yetcome to our hands, but we looke for it daily, and it will skant pay thecharges for the recouering of it. No remedy but patience: and to pray toGod to send vs better fortune hereafter. As touching the receiuing andentertaining of the Embssadour and his retinewe since his comming toEngland at the king and Queenes Maiesties hands, with the Counsell andLords of this Realme, and the Marchants that be free in Russia withfeasting and beneuolence giuen him, wee referre it to his report andothers. The like we thinke haue not bene seene nor shewed here of a longtime to any Ambassadour. The Philip and Marie arriued here tenne dayespast: she wintered in Norway. The Confidence is lost there. And as for theBona Esperanza, as yet we haue no newes of her. We feare it is wrong withher. By your billes of lading receiued in your generall letters we perceiuewhat wares are laden in them both. Your letters haue no date nor mentionwhere they were made, which were written by Henry Lane, and firmed by youGeorge Killingworth, and Richard Gray: both it and the other letters andBookes came so sore spoyled and broken with water that we cannot make ourreckoning by them. You shall vnderstand we haue fraighted for the parts ofRussia foure good shippes to be laden by you and your order: That is tosay, The Primerose of the burthen of 240. Tunnes, Master vnder God IohnBuckland: The Iohn Euangelist of 170. Tunnes, Master vnder God LaurenceRoundal: The Anne of London of the burthen of 160. tunnes. Master vnder GodDauid Philly, and the Trinitie of London of the burthen of 140. TunnesMaster vnder God Iohn Robins, as by their Charter parties may appeare:which you may require to see for diuerse causes. You shall receiue, Godwilling, out of the said good ships, God sending them in safety for the vseof the Company, these kinds of wares following, all marked with the generalmarke of the Company as followeth. 25. fardels containing 207. sortingclothes, one fine violet in graine, and one skarlet, and 40. cottons forwrappers, beginning with number 1. and ending with number 52. The sortingclothes may cost the first peny 5. li. 9. s. the cloth, one with the other.The fine violet 18. li. 6. s. 6. d. The skarlet 17. li 13. s 6. d., thecottons at 9. li. 10. s. the packe, accompting 7. cottons for a packe, more500. pieces of Hampshire kersies, that is 400. watchets, 43. blewes, 53.reds, 15. greenes, 5. ginger colours, and 2. yelowes which cost the firstpenny 4. li. 6. s. the packe, and 3. packes containing 21. cottons at 9.li. 10. s. the packe, and part of the clothes is measured by Arshines. More9. barrels of Pewter of Thomas Hasels making, &c. Also the wares bee packedand laden as is aforesayde, as by an Inuoyce in euery Shippe more plainlymay appear. So that when it shall please God to send the said good ships toyou in safetie, you are to receiue our said goods, and to procure the salesto our most aduantage either by ready money, time or barter: hauingconsideration that you doe make good debts, and giue such time, if you giveany, as you may employ and returne the same against the next voyage; andalso foreseeing that you barter to a profit, and for such wares as be heremost vendible, as waxe, tallowe, traine oyle, hempe and flax. Of furres wedesire no great plentie, becuase they be dead wares. And as for Felts wewill in no wise you send any. And whereas you have provided tarre, and aswe suppose, some hempe ready bought, our aduise is, that in no wise yousend any of them hither vnwrought, because our fraight is 4. li a tunne orlittle lesse which is so deare as it would not beare the charges: andtherefore we haue sent you 7. ropemakers, as by the copies of theircovenants here inclosed shall appeare. Whom we wil you set to work with alexpedition in making of cables and ropes of al sorts, from the smallestrope to xii. inches: And that such tarre and hempe as is already brought tothe water side, they may there make it out, and after that you settle theirworke in Vologhda or Colmogro as you shall thinke good, where their stuffemay be neerest to them: at which place and places you doe assigne them aprincipall overseer aswell to see the deliuerie of the stuffe vnwrought, asalso to take charge of the stuffe wrought, and to foresee that neither theyarne be burnt in tarring, nor the hempe rotted in the watering: and alsoto furnish them so with labourers, workemen and stuffe, as hereafter whenthese workmen shall come away, we be not destitute of good workmen, andthat these may dispatch as much as possibly they may, doing itsubstancially: for we esteme it a principal commoditie, and that theCounsel of England doth well allowe. Let all diligence be vsed, that at thereturne of these shippes we may see samples of all ropes and cables if itbe possible, and so after to continue in worke, that we may haue good storeagainst the next yeere. [Sidenote: Danske the old chiefe place for Cables.]Therefore they haue neede to haue a place to worke in, in the winter: andat any hand let them haue helpe enough to spinne their stuffe: for seeingyou haue great plentie of hempe there, and at a reasonable price, we trustwe shallbe able to bring as good stuffe from thence, and better cheape thenout of Danske: if it be diligently vsed; and haue a good ouerseer. Let thechiefest lading of these foure shippes be principally in wexe, flaxe,tallowe, and traine oyle. And if there be any more wares than these shipsbe able to take in, then leaue that which is least in valew and grossest instouage vntill the next shipping: for wee doe purpose to ground our selueschiefly vpon these commodities, as wexe, cables and ropes, traine oyle,flaxe and some linen yarne. [Sidenote: Commodities not bearing the chargesof long fraight.] As for Masts, Tarre, Hempe, Feathers, or any such otherlike, they would not beare the charges to haue any, considering our deerefraight. We haue sent you a Skinner to be there at our charges for meate,drinke, and lodging, to viewe and see such furres as you shall cheape orbuye, not minding neuerthelesse, that you shall charge your selues withmany, except those which bee most vendible, as good marterns, miniuers,otherwise called Lettis and Mynkes. Of these you may send vs plentie,finding them good and at a reasonable price. As for Sables and other richFurres, they bee not euery mans money: therefore you may send the fewer,vsing partly the discretion of the skinner in that behalfe.

Wee heare that there is great plentie of steele in Russia and Tartarie,whereof wee would you sent vs part for an example, and to write your mindesin it what store is to be had: for we heare say there is great plentie, andthat the Tartars steele is better then that in Russia. And likewise we beinformed that there is great plentie of Copper in the Emperours Dominions:we would he certified of it what plentie there is, and whether it be inplates or in round flat cakes, and send vs some for an example. Also wewould haue you to certifie vs what kinde of wollen cloth the men of Rie andReuel, and the Holes and Lettoes doe bring to Russia, and send theskantlings of them with part of the lists and a full aduise of the lengthsand breadths, colours and prices, and whether they be strained or not: andwhat number of them may be vttered in a yeere, to the intent we may makeprouision for them for the like sortes, and all other Flemish wares whichthey bring thither and be most vendible there. And to certifie vs whetherour set clothes be vendible there or not: and whether they be rowed andshorne: because ofttimes they goe vndrest. Moreouer, we will you send vs ofeuery commoditie in that Countrey part, but no great quantitie other thensuch as is before declared. And likewise euery kinde of Lether, whereof weebee informed there is great store bought yeerely by the Esterlings andDuches for hie Almaigne and Germaine.

More, that you doe send vs for proofe a quantity of such earth, hearbes, orwhat thing soeuer it be, that the Russes do die and colour any kinde ofcloth linen or wollen, Lether or any other thing withall: and also part ofthat which the Tartars and Turkes doe bring thither, and how it must bevsed in dying and colouring. Moreouer, that you haue a speciall foresightin the chusing of your Tallowe, and that it may be well purified and tried,or els it will in one yeere putrifie and consume.

Also that you certifie vs the trueth of the waights and measures, and howethey doe answere with ours, and to send vs 3. robles in money, that we maytrie the iust value of them.

Also we doe send you in these ships ten young men that be bound Prentisesto the Companie, whom we will you to appoynt euery of them as you shallthere finde most apt and meete, some to keepe accompts, some to buy andsell by your order and Commission, and some to send abroad into the notableCities of the Countrey for vnderstanding and knowledge. And we will yousend vs aduertisement from time to time as well as of the demeanours of ourPrentises which we doe send now as also of such other as bee already therewith you. And if you finde any of them remisse, negligent, or otherwisemisuse themselues and will not be ruled, and then you doe send him home,and the cause why.

And because we doe perceiue the Countrey to be large, and that you hauethree housholds, we doe appoynt Henry Lane to be one of our Agents, and toioin with you in all your doings, and to haue like authoritie and power asyou George Killingworth and Rich and Gray haue: not doubting but you threewill so conferre together, as both our Prentises and others may beappoynted and diuided euery of them to his office, and to that he can bestskill of: and you also so diuide your selues euery of you to an house, asby aduertisement one from another, our businesse and trafficke may takegood successe. And for diuers considerations, to auoyde many troubles andbusinesse that might happen, wee haue appoynted that hee which shall abideat Colmogro (which we doe think to bee most meetest Henry Lane) shall hauewith him there such of our young men, as can best skill in keeping ofaccompts after the maner of Marchants, that is, by Debitor and Creditor:And that there shall be the place, where our bookes shalbe kept: because itis nearer the sea side, where our goods shalbe discharged and our shipsladen. And the said Henry Lane to be charged with all such goods as weshall discharge there out of our ships, according to our Inuoyces. Whichgoods are to be sent from Colmogro to Vologhda or to Mosco, or to any otherplace where you three or two of you do appoynt them to be sold, so thatHenry Lane be one. And so from time to time immediately as any thing issold, doe you certifie the same to Henry Lane, that he may enter it intothe Bookes as appertaineth: otherwise he should be too farre behinde in hisBookes at the comming of our ships, when he should send vs the accompt ofthe whole yeere passed. And we will also that you George Killingworth andRichard Gray doe in the fine of April next send either of you vnto HenryLane a whole, perfit, and iust accompt firmed with your owne hands of allthe goods you haue solde and bought vntill that time, and what remainethvnsolde: and also the accompt of all maner costs of wares, and charges ofyou and the yong men vnder you particularly in such sort as the saidaccompt may bee with him in Colmogro at the fine of May at the furthest: tothe intent that hee may make all our accompts perfite against the commingof our ships: and in any wise to keepe accompt of euery voyage by it selfe,and not minde one voyage with another at no hand. And as we will haue youto keepe accompt of euery voyage by it selfe, euen so wee would haue allthe whole costes and charges of euery yeere put into the voyage of thatyeere. As the charges of all the last yeere must be put to the accompt ofthe third voyage: and the charges of this yeere present, must in the fineof April next, be put to the fourth voyage. Not doubting but your wisedomeis such that you will not take it in euill part, that wee doe appoynt HenryLane to take the accompt of the rest. For we doe it for none other cause,but to keepe a good order in our bookes, that his bookes and ours may bythis meanes agree: and hee being the yonger man, may best take paines: andthat you doe keepe accompt of euery kinde of wares by it selfe, to theintent wee may perceiue wherein is our most gaine. And also in the makingof your returne, in any wise name in your billes of lading, letters, andaccompts, what wares doe appertaine to the first, second, and third voyage:and that wee may knowe the same by the numbers or otherwise as you shallthinke good by your wisedomes, putting the charges of the said wares vntothem, as nigh as you can. And all such money as shall bee made of yourgoods in any place, wee referre that to your discretion, where it shallremaine vntill it bee employed, either at Vologhda, Mosco, or els where.And likewise wee will that Henry Lane doe make in a readinesse about thebeginning of Iune euery yeere our whole accompt of the voyage in that yeerepassed: in such sort that wee may receiue the same by our shippes: and thatwee may plainely perceiue what sales are made, and what remaineth of thefirst, second, third, and fourth voyage, and what charges haue been laydeout for the sayd voyages, and what wares bee bought, and laden, and whatthey cost, and for what voyage euery parcell thereof is: and to send vs acopie of the same accompt in euery shippe. And also forasmuch as at thistime we haue sent you but small store of wares in comparison of that wehaue hope will bee vttered in short space, and yet neuerthelesse much morethen you wrote for, whereby there shall not be sufficient to make any amplereturne: and vnderstandinig that there is great quantitie of goods stayedfor our trade there by the Emperour, wee haue mooued the Embassador thatyou may haue credite for such quantitie as shall seeme good to you toprouide for our benefite. Which credite if you may by his means obtaine, orotherwise haue, we would you bought as much Wexe principally as you mayget. For if there be in that countrey so great quantitie, as we be informedthere is, it will be the best commoditie we may haue: for hauing thatwholly in our hands, we may serue our owne countrey and others. Thereforeseeing the Emperour doth minde, that such commodities as bee in hisdominions shall not passe to Rie and Reuel and Poland as they haue done,but bee reserued for vs: therefore we must so lay for it, that it may notly upon their hands that haue it to sell, always hauing consideration inthe price and time as our next dispatch may correspond. Whereof you maysend a certaine aduise, as well what you shall receiue of credit, and towhat quantite, as also what wares are remaining in your hands: whichtogether well considered, you may aduertise vs as well for how manyhundreth tonnes we must prouide fraight against the next yeere, as alsowhat sortes, quantities and qualities of wares we shall send you, as wellto pay your credite, as also to furnish the next aduenture after. Of thiswe would be answered largely. For we trust by this time you are able togiue full instructions of the state of the countrey: according to thearticles of your first Commissions, and what commodities doe principallyabound there with their prices: and likewise what of our commodities hauemost vtterance there, and what prices will be given for them there: and allother things requisite and necessary to be knowen.

Also we doe vnderstand that in the Countrey of Permia or about the river ofPechora, is great quantitie of Yewe, and likewise in the Countrey of Vgory,which we be desirous to haue knowledge of because it is a specialcommoditie for our Realme. [Sidenote: Leonard Brian sent to search out Yewein the North parts of Russia.] Thereon wee haue sent you a yong man, whosename is Leonard Brian, that hath some knowledge in the wood, to show you inwhat sorte it must be cut and clouen. So our minde is if there be anystore, and that it bee found to be good, that there you doe prouide a goodquantitie against the next yeere for the comming of our shippes and ifthere can bee found none that will serue for our purpose then you may setthe sayd Leonard Brian to any other businesse that you shall finde mostfittest for him, vntill the returne of our ships the next yeere. For he ishired by the yeere onely for that purpose. We doubt not but that hee shalldoe you good seruice there. For hee hath good knowledge of wares of thatCountrey for his bringing vp hath bene most in Danske, and hath goodvnderstanding in making of Ropes and Cables. Also we doe send you twoCoopers to remaine there with you at our finding hogmeat and drinke andlodging to make in a readinesse all such caske as shalbe needfull fortraine oyle, tallowe, or any thing else One of them may goe with LeoonardBrian to cut and cleue such Yewe as he shall like there. And because we benot sure what timber they shall finde there to make Caske, we haue laden inthese ships 140. tunnes emptie Caske, that is 94. tunnes shaken Caske and46. tunnes whole, and ten thousand hoopes, and 480. wrethes of twigs: theymay be doing with that till they can prouide other timber, which we wouldbe glad to heare of. They haue an example with them of the bigness of theCaske they shall make. Neuerthelesse, all such Buttes and Hoggesheads asmay be found to serue we will shalbe filled with Traine Oyle.

Also we charge you that you suffer no goods nor marchandise of any personsbeing not free of the Company, and of the accompt of the Company to beladen in any wise in our ships either now or at any time hereafter: exceptthe Emperour or Ambassadour minde to send any thing to the King and QueenesMaiesties, or to any noble man, or to the Marchants of the Companie: Norlikewise that you suffer any goods that goe in these ships to be brought onland there, except the Ambassadours goods, and the Physitions andApothecaries, and others that he hath with him, who carie no Marchandise.And because our ships be freighted by the great, it shalbe very needfulthat you do appoynt certaine to see the romaging of the ships, and to giuethe master or Boatswaine, or him that will take vpon him to romage, a goodreward for his labour to see the goods well romaged. If it be iii d. oriiii d. the tunne, it shall not be amisse. For if it be not substantiallywell looked into, it may bee a great deale of money [illegible] of ourwayes.

Also because we reckon that from the Mosco will bee always betterconueyance of letters to vs by land: our minde is that from time to time asoccasion shall serue, our Agents shall write to him that shall lie at Moscoof all things that shall passe, that hee may giue vs large instructions, aswell what is solde and bought as also what lading we shall take, and whatquantitie and kinde of goodes we shall send. For hitherto we haue had but aslender aduise, more like a bill to serue a Chapman, then for quantitie ofwares to serue a kingdom. For we must procure to vtter good quantities ofwares, especially the commodities of our Realme, although we affoord a goodpenyworth, to the intent to make other that haue traded thither, wearie,and so to bring our selues and our commodities in estimation, and likewiseto procure to haue the chiefe commodities of that countrey in our hand, aswaxe and such others, that other nations may be serued by vs and at ourhands. For wee doe vnderstand that the greatest quantitie of waxe thatcommeth to Danske, Lubeck, and Hambourgh, commeth out of Russia. Thereforeif wee should buy part, and they also buy, it would raise the price there,and would bee little woorth here. And all such letters of importance andsecrecie as you doe send by land for any wares or otherwise, you must writethem in Cyphers, after the order of a booke sent you in the shippes: alwaystaking good heede in placing of your letters and cyphers, that wee mayvnderstand them by the same booke heere, and to send them in such sort thatwe may haue them here by Christmas or Candlemas, if it be possible. Andbecause you cannot so certainly aduertise vs by letters of your doings, butsome doubt may arise, whereof we would most gladly be certified: our mindis therefore that with these ships you send vs home one such yong man as ismost expert in knowledge of that countrey, and can best certifie vs in suchquestions as may be demanded, whome we will remit vnto you again in thenext ships. We thinke Arthur Edwards wilbe fittest for that purpose:neuerthelesse vse your discretion in that matter.

As touching our goods that were robbed and pilfred out of our ships atColmogro and Vologda we trust by this time they are restored againe, andthe malefactors so punished that other may take example for doing the like,otherwise it will be an euil president. Moreouer, we doe perceiue thatRichard Gray doeth buy mastes to send into England; they will not quit thecostes, except we had a ship of purpose for them. And likewise that SteuenBurrow is returned from his discouere with the Serchthrift and wintereth atColmogro, and is minded to set forth in the beginning of Iune next to seekethe riuer of Ob. We pray God to speede him well, and trust to haue him herein England this yeere to bring vs good newes.

We doe perceiue there is a riuer found about the mouth of S. Nicholas Baythat hath thirteen foot vpon the barre at a lowe water, and is as neereColmogro as S. Nicholas: which will be a great pleasure vnto vs. We willthat Steuen Burrowe doe proceed on his voiage to discouer. [Sidenote: M.Anthonie Ienkinson his first trauaile intended for Cathay by the Caspiansea and Beghar.] Also we haue sent you one Anthonie Ienkinson Gentleman, aman well trauelled, whom we mind to vse in further travelling, according toa Commission deliuered him, subscribed by master Antonie Huse and others.Wherefore we will you deliuer him one or more of such painfull young men ashe shal thinke meetest for his purpose: and likewise such money and waresas he shal think best to take with him. He must haue fourty pounds a yeerefor foure yeeres, to be paid him by the halfe yeere, or as he wil demaundit of you, so let him haue it from Easter last. Also the prices of wareshere at this present are, bale flaxe twenty pound the packe and better,towe flaxe twentie eight pound the hundred, traine oyle at nine pound thetunne, waxe at foure pound the hundred, tallow at sixteen shillings thehundred, cables and ropes very deare: as yet there are no shippes come outof Danske.

Kept vntill the tenth day of this present. As this day came the goods, outof Scotland that were recouered out of the Edward Bonauenture: and nowe wedoe preceiue that the caske that the trayne oyle came in, is verie good,and much better then ours. Therefore our minde is, that you shall lade itall in such barrels of the biggest sort as you laded in the Edward, and nolong barrels nor small. And that caske that wee haue sent may serue for theTallowe or anie other ware that is not leakage. Neuerthelesse this voyageyou must take such as you can get.

Also if the Emperour bee minded to deliuer you any summe of money, or goodWaxe, at as reasonable a price as you may buye for readie money, wee willthat you shall take it and lade it for our accomptes, and to come at ouraduenture, and hee to bee payed at the return of the Shippes in Veluets,Sattens, or any other kinde of silk, or cloth of golde, cloth of tissue, oraccording as his Commission shall bee that hee shall sende vs in theshippes and according to such paternes as hee shall send. Wee doe not findethe Ambassadour nowe at the last so conformable to reason as wee hadthought wee shoulde. Hee is very mistrustfull, and thinketh euery man willbeguile him. Therefore you had neede to take heede howe you haue to doewith him or with any such, and to make your bargaines plaine, and to setthem downe in writing. For they bee subtill people, and doe not alwaiesspeake the trueth, and thinke other men to bee like themselues. Thereforewe would haue none of them to send any goods in our shippes at any time,nor none to come for passengers, vnless the Emperour doe make bargaine withyou, as is aforesaid, for his owne person.

Also we charge you not to suffer any of our nation to send any wares totheir wiues or friends in any of our ships; but to take their money thereto be paid heere by the companie and not otherwise: and to haueconsideration how you doe take the roble. For although we doe rate it aftersixteene shillings eight pence of our money, yet it is not worth past 12 or13 shillings sterling. Moreouer, you had neede to sende newe accomptes, forthem that came in the Edward bee marred and torne, so that we can make noreckoning by them: and likewise to write vs a perfect note of all thegoodes which you receiued the last voyage out of the Edward, and heereinnot to faile.

Andrew Iudde. George Barne. Anthonie Huse. William Garrand. William Chester.

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A Letter of Master Thomas Hawtrey to the worshipfull Master Henrie Lane Agent at Colmogro, written in Vologda the 31. of Ianuarie 1557.

Worshipfull Sir, heartie commendations premised. These may bee to aduertiseyou, that yesterday the thirtieth, of this present came hither Robert Best,and brought with him two hundred robles, that is, one hundred for thisplace, and one hundred for you at Colmogro. As for hempe which is here attwo robles and a halfe the bercouite, Master Gray hath written to buy nomore at that price: for Iohn Sedgewicke hath bought for sixe or seuenhundred robles worth at Nouogrode for one roble and a halfe the bercouite,and better cheape: and white Nouogrode flaxe is there at three robles thebercouite. I trust hee will doe much good by his going thither. As I doevnderstand, Richard Iohnson is gone to Nouogrode with money to him, I doubtnot but Master Gray hath aduertised you of all their doings, both at theMosco and the Nouogrod. And touching our doings heere, you shall perceiuethat wee haue solde wares of this fourth voyage for one hundred and fourtierobles, besides fiftie robles of the second and third voyage since thegiuing vp of my last account, and for wares of the Countrey, you shallvnderstand that I haue bought tried and vntried for 77. robles fourehundred podes of tried tallowe, beside foure hundred podes that I hauegiuen out money for, whereof God graunt good receipt when the time commeth,which is in lent. And in browne flaxe and hempe I haue bought seuenteenebercouites, sixe podes and sixteene pound, which cost 28. robles, eleuenaltines two pence. And as for other kindes of wares I haue bought none asyet And for mastes to bee prouided, you shall vnderstand that I wrote aletter to Totma the 28. of this present for fiftie mastes to wit, for 25.of fifteene fathoms, and 25. of foureteene fathoms, to be an arshine and ahalfe at the small ende. [Sidenote: An Arshine is 3. quarters of a yard ormore.] And more, I haue written for 30. great trees to be two arshines anda halfe at the small ende, and for the other that were prouided the lastyeere, I trust they will be sent downe in the spring of the yeere.[Sidenote: A rope house erected by Colmogro.]And as concerning theRopemakers, you shall vnderstand that their abiding place shall bee withyou at Colmogro, as I doe thinke Master Gray has aduertised you. For, asRoger Bontigne Master of the woorkes doeth say, there is no place moremeete for their purpose then with you: and there it will be made withlesser cost, considering that the pale is the one halfe of it: which is toset one pale more to that, and so for to couer it ouer, which as they say,will be but little cost. They doe pray that it may bee made sixteene footebroade, and one hundred and eightie fathoms long: and that in the midde waytwentie foote from the pale towarde the water side there may be a housemade to tarre in, standing alone by it selfe for danger of fire. The Tarrehouse that they woulde haue made, is to bee fifteene fathoms long, and tenfathoms broade, and they would that house should be made first: for Ithinke they will not tarre before they come there. And farther they desirethat you will prouide for as much tarre as you may, for heere wee hauesmall store, but when the time commeth that it shoulde be made, I willprouide as much as I can here, that it may bee sent downe when the Nasadecommeth. The stuffe that they haue readie spunne is about fiue thousandwaight, and they say that they trust to haue by that time they come downeyarne ynough to make 20. cables. As concerning a copie of the Alphabet inciphers Master Gray hath written hither that Robert Austen had one, whichhe willed that he shoulde deliuer to you. Thus I surcease, beseeching Godto preserue you in health, and to send you your hearts desire.

By yours to command to his power,

Thomas Hawtrey.

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A letter of master Richard Gray one of the first Agents of the Moscouie companie to Master Henrie Lane at Mosco, written in Colmogro the 19. of Februarie 1558.

[Sidenote: Lampas a great mart for the Samoeds in the North.] WorshipfullSir, after heartie commendations &e. You shall vnderstand that this Lentcommeth to Lampas such a number of men of diuers nations with wares, ashath not bene seene these ten yeeres. Thither came many out of Vgori:therefore I would haue bene there my selfe, and also haue receiued suchmoney as is owning vs in wares by Kerill his brother and Osep Boscouo. Foras you well know, thence they will go with their wares to the Mosco, andmake vs payment with delayes, as they haue done these other yeeres past.Colobone and his partner be departed towards Lampas with seuen sleddesladen with victuals. Others also are gone to that Mart. As touching thebringing of money with you, it will bee good, for I assure you since ourcomming to this countrey haue not so many persons gone to the Sea, as willdoe this yeere. Trusting that God will send good store of traine oyle, Iwill cause as much caske to bee in a readinesse as I can, if you shallthink it meete to send some money before. All our old hempe is spunne andwrought in tenne cables from fifteene ynches to ten the least, andthirteene Hausers from six ynches to three ynches: and all may weigh whiteeight and twenty thousand pound weight and vpwarde. There is in hempe ockamfiue thousand pound two hundred weight in twelue sackes at the least: theflaxe that came downe in the Nassadaes with those seuen podes that camelast is all spunne with a good part of that hempe that came last. God sendmore shortly, for all that is here and that is comming in the three othersleddes will bee dispatched by the fourth weeke in Lent. Within these fewdayes I bought thirteen podes, seuen pound of hempe that cost two robles,twenty eight altines, foure pence, which together with that that was boughtbefore, shall bee laide in dipping and sounding lines, for it is very good.There are spent aboue fiftie barrels of tarre alreadie: you shallvnderstand that these eight workemen will spinne and lay aboue fourescoreand tenne thousand pound of hempe, so it bee dressed readie to their hands,hauing two to turne the wheeles, and two to winde vp. Therefore I haueagreed with these two boyes to serue the worshipfull companie foure yeeresa piece. One of them windeth vp and is very apt to spinne: therefore I willhaue two other young men Russes to spinne, if they can finde good suretiesfor their trueth. I haue bene in hand with these two yong men that came putof the Trinitie, and they with me, but vnder seuen pound a year they willnot serue, nor Thomas Bunting that was Roger Bunting his seruant. ThereforeI would haue three Russes at the least to spinne, fiue of them will be asgood as these three, and will not be so chargeable all, as one of thesewould be. I thinke it were good that our Nassada were somewhat strengthenedin her floore on both sides with plankes of fiue or sixe ynches thicke,from the stemme to the sterne, as I haue written to Thomas Hawtrey atVologda. Also if you shall so thinke meet, your waxe and tallowe shall beladen in two Dosnickes, for they bee meete to goe aboord the shippes: I doeintend to set vp an house at Boroseua ouer against the place whereat theshippes shall ride, your aduise therein I expect it shall not cost abouethree robles, and yet if we will, there shall be two warme roomes in it. Asfor other matter at this present I haue not to trouble you withall, and ifit would please yow I would be glad to heare some good newes of MasterIenkinson. Thus Iesus be with you and be his guide.

Postscriptum.

[Sidenote: White hawks and white beares prohibited without licence.] As forthese our Hawkes they bee not white, but white and mayled, but indeede beIarfawkons. These dayes past our Olen died. So this yeere our Masters ofthe companie are like to haue none, nor any white beares. Neither may anypasse out of the realme without a special licence from the Emperour.

I intend God willing to goe to Lampas, if I doe I will take foure or fiuekerseys with me, but as for money there is small store here to carie.

Yours, Richard Gray.

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A letter of Thomas Alcocke to the worshipfull Richard Gray, and Henrie Lane Agents in Moscouia from Tirwill in Polonia, written in Tirwill the 26. of Aprill 1558.

My duety premised vnto your worships, with commendations &c. It may pleaseyou to be aduertised, that my last I sent from Smolensco, which I trust youhaue receiued with other letters to diuers of our Englishmen, wherein Icertified you of my long retayning there, as also of my departure fromthence, and howe that I had hired a Totar to bring mee to Danske. We cameto a certaine village on Satterday the sixe and twentieth of Februarie, andthere remained that night and Sunday to refresh our horses, intending tohaue gone away on Munday earely. But on Saterday at night one of hisneighbours departed to Tirwill, and there declared to the Captaine howethat at such a place there was a Dutch man that was come from the Mosco,and woulde ride to Danske, saying, for the one, I cannot tell what he is.The Captaine incontinent ridde to the King to shewe him thereof, so thatwithout any delay there was sent out for mee one of the Gentlemen of theKings house, and one of the Mesnickes of the Towne with sixe Officers totake mee. They came thither in the night about midnight, and thereapprehended mee and tooke all that I had from me: they left me nothing butmy clothes to put on my backe, and so brought mee to Tirwill to theCaptaines house, where before I dyned, I had a payre of fetters clapped onmy legges, wherewithall I sate vntill it was Munday in the Easter-weeke. Onwhich day, after long and earnest calling to the Captaine as he ridde bythe windowe, he commaunded the Marshall that mine yrons shoulde be takenoff, but no worde I could heare when I should be deliuered out ofcaptiuitie till it was Saint George his day: on which day I was had beforethe Marshall, who declared vnto me that the Kings Maiestie had shewed hismercie and goodnesse towardes mee: for his pleasure was that I should bedeliuered out of prison to depart into England, but no way else. So after Ihad giuen thankes for the Kings Maiesties goodnesse shewed vnto me, Idesired him that he woulde be a meane that I might haue the remaynder ofsuch thinges as were taken from me restored vnto me againe. Hee made meanswere, that I might thanke God that I escaped with my head, and that ifeuer there came any more of vs through the land, they should not so doe.The weeke before Easter they deliuered mee my Corobia againe with allthinges that were therein. They tooke from mee in money nine Hungersgylderns in golde, fiue shillings foure pence in Lettoes money, fourtieAltines in Russe money, whereof twentie and more were for tokens, halfe anangell and a quarter of Master Doctour Standishes, with his goldering.[Sidenote: Doctor Standish the Emperours Phisition.] Your two piecesof money (Master Gray) that you sent to your wife and daughter, with my twopieces of Boghary money. Of all this I had eight Hungers gilderns deliueredmee the thirde weeke of mine imprisonment to paye for my charges, whichstoode mee in a Doller a weeke. So that at the day of my deliuerie I hadbut three gyldernes left me. For the rest I made a supplication to theCaptaine and had the like answere giuen mee as the Marshall gaue me. Sothat all the rest of the thinges before written are lost, and no recouerieto bee had, which grieueth me more for the tokens sake then doeth mineeight weeks imprisonment. They haue also my sword, my bootes, my bowe andarrowes that I bought at Smolensco, which cost me foure marks, my sled, myfelt, the comhold, a booke of the Flowres of godly prayers, and my bookewherein my charges were written. Of all these I can get nothing againe, notso much as my two bookes.

After I had remayned there fiue and thirtie dayes, I was had before theCaptaine vp into a great chamber to bee examined for letters and of thecause of my comming through the Countrey. In the Captaines companie was oneof the Lordes of Danske. They demaunded of mee where my letters were, Ideclared vnto them that I had none: your Officers (sayd I) tooke me when Iwas in my bedde, they searched mee and tooke all that I had from mee, ifthere be any they shall finde them among my stuffe which they haue. Theyasked mee then, for what cause I went home ouer lande? I declared vntothem, that the Winter beeing a warme season, and hauing intelligence thatthe frozen Sea was not much frozen, and supposing this Sommer it would benauigable, I was onely sent to prouide a Shippe to be sent to passe thesayde Seas to discouer Cataia: which if God graunted wee might doe, itwoulde not onely bee a commoditie to the Realme of Englande, but vnto allChristian landes, by the riches that might be brought from thence, if thehistories bee true that are written thereof. Much other communication I hadwith them concerning the same voyage. Then he demaunded of mee what wareswee brought into Russia, and what we carried from thence. I declared thesame vnto them. Then they burdened mee, that wee brought thither thousandesof ordinance, as also of harneis, swordes, with other munitions of warre,artificers, copper, with many other things; I made them answere, that weehad brought thither about one hundred shirtes of mayle, such olde thingesnewe scowred as no man in Englande woulde weare. Other talke they had withmee concerning the trade of Moscouia too long to commit to writing.

[Sidenote: An attempt to hinder our trade to Mosvouia by the Hans townesand Easterlings.] At my comming hither heere were Ambassadours from thetownes of Danske, Lubeck, and Hamburgh, as also out of Liefland to desirethis King to bee their Captaine and head their intended voyage, which wasto stoppe all such shippes as shoulde goe out of England for Mocouia.Whereunto the King graunted, and immediately they departed to prepare theirshippes. So that I am afraide that either these our enemies, or the greatwarres that we haue with France and Scotland will be an occasion that youshall haue no shippes at Colmogro this yeere.

To conclude, although I haue no tokens to deliuer them, that the tokenstaken from me were sent vnto, yet I will declare vnto them that I hadtokens for them, with the mischance. And thus I commit you to Almightie Godwith the rest of the companie who keepe you in health to his holy will andpleasure.

By yours to commaund

THOMAS ALCOCKE.

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A Letter of Master Anthonie Ienkinson vpon his returne from Boghar to the worshipful Master Henrie Lane Agent for the Moscouie compante resident in Vologda, written in the Mosco the 18. of September, 1559.

Worshipfull Sir, after my heartie commendations premised with most desireto God of your welfare and prosperous successe in all your affaires. It mayplease you to bee aduertised that the fourth of this present I arriued withRichard Iohnson and Robert Iohnson all in health, thankes bee to God. Weehaue bene as farre as Boghar, [Footnote: Bokhara.] and had proceededfarther on our voyage toward the lande of Cathay, had it not bene for thevncessant any continuall warres, which are in all these brutall and wildecountrey, that it is at this present impossible to passe, neither wentthere any Carauan of people from Boghar that way these three yeere. Andalthough our iourney hath bene so miserable, dangerous, and chargeable withlosses, charges and expenses, as my penne is not able to expresse the same:yet shall wee bee able to satisfie the woorshipfull Companies mindes, astouching the discouerie of The Caspian Sea, with the trade of merchandiseto bee had in such landes and countreyes as bee thereabout adiacent, and,haue brought of the wares and commodities of those Countries able toanswere the principall with profite: wishing that there were vtterance foras great a quantitie of kersies and other wares as there is profile to beehad in the sales of a small quantitie, (all such euill fortunes beeingescaped as to vs haue chaunced this present voyage,) for then it woulde bea trade woorthie to bee followed. Sir, for that I trust you will be hereshortly (which I much desire) I will deferre the discourse with you atlarge vntill your comming, as well touching my trauel, as of other things.Sir, Iohn Lucke departed from hence toward England the seuenth of thispresent, and intendeth to passe by the way of Sweden, by whom I sent aletter to the worshipfull Companie, and haue written that I intend to comedowne vnto Colmogoro to be readie there at the next shipping to imbarke myselfe for England, declaring that my seruice shal not be needful here, forthat you are a man able to serne their worships in greater affaires thenthey haue heere to doe, so farre as I perceiue. As touching the Companiesaffaires heere, I referre you to Christopher Hudsons letters, for that I ambut newly arriued. Hauing heere but litle businesse to doe, I send youRichard Iohnson to helpe you there in your affaires. Thus giuing you mostheartie thanks for my wench Aura Soltana, I commend you to the tuition ofGod, who send you health with hearts desire. [Sidenote: This was a yongTartar girle which he gaue to the Queene afterwards.]

Your assured to command,

Anthonie Ienkinson.

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A Letter of the Moscouie companie to their Agents in Russia, Master Henrie Lane, Christopher Hudson, and Thomas Glouer sent in their seuenth voyage to Saint Nicholas with three ships, the Swallowe, the Philip and Marie, and the Iesus the fifth of May, 1560.

After our heartie commendations to you. The twelfth day of the last monethhere arriued in safety, thanks be to God, our two ships, and by them wereceiued your letters and inuoices very well perceiuing what you haue ladenin them. The tallowe came euill conditioned and broken, by reason it camein Corrobias, wee lose and spoyle more then the Caske will cost, and muchof this tallowe is verie euill, blacke, soft and putrified. Touching theWaxe, as yet wee knowe not howe the weight will rise, by reason that someof it was lost in the barkes. The weight of the last yeeres waxe did notrise so well as the other yeeres before it did. There had neede good heedebee taken in the weighing. Also much of this Waxe had a great foote, and isnot so faire waxe as in times past wee baue had. You must cause the footeto bee taken off before you doe weigh it, or else you must seeke to haue agood allowance for it. The traine Oyles which you laded this yeere camewell conditioned, and the caske was good and of a good sise. But if theywere made a little bigger, it were the better, for they be not hogsheads.You haue written to vs to send you caske which is not heere to be had,neither doe wee thinke it so best if it were heere, considering it must goeeither shaken and bounde vp, or else emptie, which will bee pesterable, andlikewise will shrinke and drie, and not be fitte to lade oyles in.Therefore our minde is, you shall cause so much caske to bee made there ofthe sise of hogsheads as will serue both for; your oyles and tallowe, andlet them be well trimmed with pitch on the heads and seames, and stand fullof water three or foure dayes before you put Oyles in them; Your Cowper maybee ouerseer to them that make them, that they be well hooped and cleeretymber without knottes, the woorst caske you may put the tallowe in. Heethat seeth the filling of the oyles had neede to looke well to it, forthere was much water in this that, came nowe. Wee perceiue you haue boughtand haue in a readinesse one hundred and fourtie tunnes of oyles, and thatif neede bee you may haue more store. Wherefore we doe minde to send, youshipping for three hundred tunnes and vpwards, because we would haue thisnext Summer as great a returne as you can of the commodities of thatCountrey, as also such of our wares as you haue that are not vendible, orwill not be solde or bartered, because we would haue a ful knowledge andstate of our accounts. The Sables which you sent this yeere be very base,among them all we could not make one principall timber: wee haue alwayeswritten vnto you to send them that bee good or else none. The Wolueringswere indifferent, and some of the wolues, the rest verie base, the Lusernesbut meane, the Lettes not so large skinnes as we hane had: the best is,they were of a new death. As for the Ermines, they cost more there withyou, then we can sell them for here. Therefore buy no more of them, nor ofSquirels, for wee lost the one halfe in the other. The wares that we wouldhaue you prouide against the comming of the shippes are, Waxe, Tallowe,trayne Oyles, Flaxe, Cables and Ropes, and Furres, such as we haue writtento you for in our last letters by the shippes: and from hencefoorth not tomake any great prouision of any rich Furres except principall Sables andLettes: for now there is a Proclamation made that no furres shall be wornehere, but such as the like is growing here within this our Realme. Also weperceiue that there might be a great deale of tallowe more prouided in ayeere than you send. Therefore our minde is, you should enlarge somewhatmore in the price, and to send vs if you can three thousand podes a yeere:for we doe most good in it. And likewise the Russes, if you would giue thema reasonable price for their wares, woulde be the willinger to buy and sellwith you, and not to carie so much to Nouogrode as they doe, but woulderather bring it to Vologda to you, both Waxe, Tallowe, Flaxe, Hempe, andall kinde of other wares fitte for our Countrey. Our minde is you shouldprouide for the next ships fiue hundred Losh hides, of them that be largeand faire, and thickest in hand, and to be circumspect in the choosing,that you buy them that bee killed in season and well dryed and whole. Ifthey be good we may sell them here for sixteene shillings and better thepiece, wee would haue the whole skinnes that is, the necke and leggeswithal, for these that you sent now lacke their neckes and legges.Neuerthelesse for this time you must sende them as you may get them: if youcoulde finde the meanes that the haire might bee clipped off them, theywoulde not take so much roome in the shippes as they doe. We perceiue byyour letters that the prices of Waxe doe rise there with you, by reasonthat the Poles and Lifelanders doe trade into Russia by licence: which, ifthere shoulde bee peace betweene them, would be an occasion that all othercommodities in Russia woulde rise to a bigger price, and not be sufficientto serue them and vs too, and likewise woulde bring downe there the priceof our commodities. Therefore we thinke it good you shoulde make asupplication to the Emperour in the name of The Companie to returne thetrade from Rye and Reuel to vs, especially for such wares as wee doe buy:promising that wee will bee bounde to take them at a reasonable price, aswee haue bought them in times past: and likewise that wee will bring tothem such wares of ours, as are thought fitte for the Countrey, and so sellthem at such reasonable prices as wee haue done. If this shoulde not cometo passe, wee might be out of hope of doing any good by the trade there:but that we haue a further hope of some good trade to be found out byMaster Antonie Ienkinson: by reason we doe perceiue by your letters, thatraw silke is as plentifull in Persia, as flaxe is in Russia: beside othercommodities that may come from thence. Wee vnderstand by your letters thatyou be at a point with the Russe for the Waxe, Tallow, and traine oylesthat he shipped the last yere for 311 robles 20 altines, which is well:although much be not gotten by it, but because they should not vnderstandour reckonings. We much maruel what you mean to buy Seale skins and tannethem. All that you haue sent in times past lie here vnsold, and will yeeldeno money. If you send 100 of them tawed with the haire on, they will beesolde, or else not. In our shippe we will send you such things as you writeto haue for the ropers: and wee would they should make more store of smallcables and ropes, as cables of 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. inches. For these greatcables be not for euery man; and the greatest cables bee not best laded:and likewise small ropes for shroudes, sholes, and other small tackeling:and that you looke better to the spinning of their yarne that it be euenand well tarred. The sables that you doe mind to send vs let them beprincipall and fayre, and not past foure or fine timbars. For they will notbe so commonly worne here as they haue bin with noble men: and likewise ofLuserns send fewe and principal good. We mind to send you in our shippes100 tunnes of salte. And because we perceiue that balast is hardly to behad at our lading place there with you, we would you shoulde haue in areadinesse 100 tunnes of the white stones whereof you sent vs home anexample two yeres past. And likewise to haue in a readinesse mastes of allsortes for our shippes: for we know not what neede wee shall haue of them.The bringer hereof is Thomas Alcock, he could not be suffered the lastyeare to passe through Poland. And as we, wrote vnto you in our shippes,hee is our seruant for yeares: And for that we know him to be honest, trueand painefull, our mind is he shalbe placed where he may do best seruice.He doth know the commodities and discommodities of all kinde of wares whichyou doe send vs. Therefore we would you should credite his sayings both inquantitie of wares and goodnes, as also wherin is most our profit. We seeby your letters that your opinion is that the rope-makers should remainethere two yeres more; and that you haue prouided great plentie of hempe,which we are content withall. But as yet we haue solde none of our cablesor halsers, neither is the proofe of them knowen; because the first yousent vs were made of flaxe, which are worth no money: for after they beonce wet they will rotte and moulder away like mosse. And those which yousent vs now last, by misfortune there with you at the lading were wette andfretted in many places, and haue lost their colour: by meanes whereof theybe not so vendible as if they had come well conditioned. Of an hardbeginning we trust God will send vs a good ending. We hope in your nextletters to heare good newes of the proceedings of Master Antonie Ienkinson.We perceiue by his letters that Astracan is not so good a Mart towne as thefame hath gone of it: and maruell much that round pewter should be so good,and good chepe there, and from whence it should come. And whereas you writethat you wil come for England in our next shippes, we would gladly haue youto remaine there vntill the next yere following, for the better instructionof our seruants there; who have not had so long time of continuance for thelanguage and knowledge of the people, countrey, and wares as you haue had.[Sidenote: Christopher Hodson and Thomas Glouer appointed Agents 1560.]Neuerthelesse if you will needs come away, we haue no doubt, but that youwill leaue good order with our seruants there, namely with ChristopherHodson and Thomas Glouer, whom we appoint to remaine there as Agents inyour roome, till further order bee taken: not doubting but that they willvse themselues so discreetely and wisely in all their doings, as shall beto the worship and benefite of this company. And as we haue a good hope inthem that they will be carefull, diligent and true in all their doings: sohaue we no lesse hope, in all the rest of our seruants there, that theywill bee not onely obedient to them (considering what roome they be in) butalso will be carefull, diligent and true euery one in his roome and placefor the benefite and profite of the company: That hereafter in the absenceof others they may be called and placed in the like roome there orelsewhere. And if you find any to be disobedient and stobborne, and willnot be ruled; wee will you shall send him home in our shippes: who shallfind such small fauour and friendship during the time that he hath toserue, as by his disobedience and euill seruice hee hath deserued. Andwhereas Christopher Hodson hath written to come home, as partly he hathgood cause, considering the death of his father and mother: yet in regardthat Sir George Barne and the Ladie his wife were his special friends inhis absence, we doubt not but that he wil remain in the roome, which wehaue appointed him, if you doe not tarie and remaine there, till fartherorder be taken: and for his seruice and paines hee shall be considered, asreason is, as friendly as if his friends were liuing. Thus we trust youwill take such order the one to remaine at the Mosco, and the other atColmogro, or elsewhere, as most neede is. Thomas Alcocke is desirous to bein the Mosco: neuerthelesse you shall find him reasonable to serue where hemay doe most good. The 62 robles which you receiued of Iohn Boucher we hauepayed him here, and also the 8 robles, which you receiued the yere beforeof Christopher Rose, and the money which you receiued more of GeorgeBurton, for the which we haue you our debtors. Thus we rest, referring thatwhich is here omitted to the report of the bringer: and so God haue you inhis keeping. Also we would that you should send vs in our shippes 200horse-clothes more. The things before written wee would that you should letour seruants see and reade, to the intent they may perceiue our mindes.

Another letter to the foresaid parties. 1560.

This letter before written is the copie of one sent you by Thomas Alcock,trusting that hee was with you long since. [Sidenote: Stockholme.] The 26day of the last moneth we receiued a letter from him, dated in Stockholmein Sweden the 14 day of Ianuary, and we perceiue by his letter that hee hadtalked with a Dutch man that came lately from the Mosco, who informed himthat our friend Master Antony Ienkinson was returned to the Mosco inSeptember last past, but how farre he had beene, or what he had done, hecould not tell. [Sidenote: Iohn Luck taken prisoner in Lieflande.] Also hewrote that one Iohn Lucke a Ioyner was taken by the Liefelanders, and putin prison. As yet wee haue not heard from the sayd Iohn Lucke, nor know notwhether he be released out of prison or not. We suppose that by him youwrote some letter which as yet is not come to our hands: so that we thinkehee is yet in prison, or otherwise dispatched out of the way. The fifteenthday of December wee receiued a letter from Christopher Hodson, dated in theMosco the 29 of Iuly, by the way of Danske: which is in effect a copie ofsuch another receiued from him in our shippes. [Sidenote: The Swallow.] Youshal vnderstand that we haue laden in three good shippes of ours these kindof wares following: to wit, in the Swallowe of London, Master vnder GodSteuen Burrow, 34 fardels N'o 136 broad short clothes, and foure fardelsN'o 58 Hampshire Kersies: and 23 pipes of bastards and seckes, and 263pieces of raisins and 4 hogsheds N'o 154 pieces of round pewter, and tenhogsheds and poncheons of prunes, and one dryfatte with Almonds. [Sidenote:The Philip and Marie.] And in the Philip and Marie, Master vnder God ThomasWade, 25 fardels N'o 100 broad clothes, and three fardels N'o 42 HampshireKersies and thirtie pipes of seckes and bastards, and 100 pieces ofraisins. [Sidenote: The Iesus.] And in the Iesus of London, Master vnderGod Arthur Pette, 10 fardels N'o 40 broade shorte clothes, and twenty seuenpipes of bastards and seckes, as by the Inuoices herewith inclosed mayappeare: Also you shall receiue such necessaries as you did write to beesent for the rope makers: trusting that you shall haue better successe withthem which you shall send vs in these ships, then with the rest which youhaue sent vs yet: for we as yet haue sold none of them. And whereas wewrote vnto you in our former letter, that we would send you a hundredtunnes of salte, by reason it is so deare here we doe send you but ninetunnes and a halfe, for it cost here tenpence the bushell the first penie:namely in the Swallow 6 tunnes and a halfe, in the Philip and Marie onetunne and a halfe, and in the Iesus one tunne and a halfe: The 4 hogsheadsof round pewter goe in the Swallow and in the Philip and Marie N'o 154pieces, as is aforesaid. We send you three ships, trusting that you haueprouided according to our former writing good store of lading for them. Ifyee haue more wares then will lade the ships, let it be Traine oyles thatyou leaue behinde: the price is not here so good as it was; it is worthhere 9 pound the tunne. We thinke it good you should let the smaller shipbring as much of the traine as she can cary: And that the masters of theships do looke wel to the romaging, for they might bring away a great dealemore than they doe, if they would take paine in the romaging: and bestowethe traine by it selfe, and the waxe and tallowe by it selfe: for theleakage of the traine doth fowle the other wares much. As for Allard theskinner, if you thinke good he may come home in these shippes. We haue nodoubt but that you Henrie Lane, if you minde to come home now in theseships as you requested, will leaue such good order there with our seruantsas shall bee for our most profite and their preferment, if they doe theirdueties diligently and truely. If our friend Master Antonie Ienkinson beereturned, and meane to come away in these ships to declare his mind andopinion of his trauaile, if need require and he be so minded he may returnethither by land and be there by the fine of Ianuarie or before. But as webe vncertaine whether he be returned or not: so we know not what he hathdone, nor what benefite may arise hereafter of his trauaile. Therefore inthis wee remit it to his and your good discretions. Wee send you ThomasHawtrey which is our seruant for yeeres: our minde is he should be placed,where he may doe best seruice.

Also we send you Nicholas Chancelour to remaine there, who is ourapprentice for yeeres: our minde is hee should be set about such businesseas he is most fit for: he hath been kept at writing schoole along: he hathhis Algorisme, and hath vnderstanding of keeping of bookes of reckonings.We send you now but 100 Kersies: but against the next yeere, if occasionserue, wee will send you a greater quantitie, according as you shall aduisevs: One of the pipes of seckes that is in the Swallow, which hath 2 roundcompasses upon the bung, is to be presented to the Emperour: for it isspecial good. The nete waight of the 10 puncheons of prunes is 4300. 2thirds 1 pound. It is written particularly vpon the head of euery puncheon:and the nete weight of the fatte of almonds is 500 li. two quarters. Theraisins, prunes, and almonds you were best to dispatch away at a reasonableprice, and principally the raisins, for in keeping of them will be greatlosse in the waight, and the fruit will decay. We thinke it good that youprouide against the next yeere for the comming of our shippes 20 or 30bullockes killed and salted, for beefe is very deare here. Therefore youwere best to saue some of this salt that we doe send you in these ships forthe purpose. [Sidenote: The salt of Russia is not so good as Baye salt.]The salte of that countrey is not so good. In this you may take the opinionof the masters of the shippes. [Sidenote: Foxe skinnes white, blacke andrusset vendible in England.] Foxe skins, white, blacke, and russet will bevendible here. The last yere you sent none: but there were mariners thatbought many. If any of the mariners doe buy any trifling furres or othercommodities, we will they shall be registred in our pursers bookes, to theintent we may know what they be. We desire to know how the Emperour tookethe letter which we sent in our ships, as an answere to the letter thatcame in his name and vnder his seale for the sixe thousand dallers.[Sidenote: May 5. 1560.] Thus wee rest, committing you to God, from Londonthe fift day of May 1560.

For lacke of time the gouernours haue not firmed this letter: which is thecopie of the other two letters firmed by them.

Yours, William Mericke.Yours, Blase Sanders.

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The maner of Iustice by lots in Russia, written by Master Henrie Lane, and executed in a controuersie betweene him and one Sheray Costromitskey in Mosco. 1560.

After the comming home into Russia of Ioseph Napea the first ambassadour toQueene Marie, I remaining the Agent there, sundrie Russian marchants byIosephs procurement obtained letters from the Emperour to freight goods andpasse in our ships for England: which thing vpon good consideration Ianswered and refused. They were then driuen to credite vs and compound invalue vntill the next returne. At which time, notwithstanding good accomptin the value of 600 robles, there grewe question by their double demand.[Sidenote: Triall by combat or lot.] So in April Anno 1560. before mycomming from Moscouia, they obtained trial by combat or letter to hauetheir summe double, or as I proffered 600 robles. For combatte I wasprouided of a strong willing Englishman, Robert Best, one of the companiesseruants: whome the Russes with their Champion refused. So that we had thewords of our priuiledge put in effect, which were to draw lots. The day andmaner of triall appointed by the Emperour at his castle in his palace andhigh Court of Moscouia was thus. The Emperours two Treasurers, being alsoChancelours and chiefe Iudges, sate in court. They appointed officers tobring me, mine interpreter, and the other, through the great presse withinthe rayle or barre, and permitted me to sit downe some distance from them:the aduerse parties being without at the barre. Both parties were firstperswaded with great curtesie, to wit, I to enlarge mine offer, and theRusses to mitigate their challenge. Notwithstanding that I protested myconscience to be cleere, and their gaine by accompt to bee sufficient, yetof gentlenes at the magistrates request, I made proffer of 100 robles more:which was openly commended, but of the plaintifes not accepted. Thensentence passed with our names in two equall balles of waxe made and holdenvp by the Iudges, their sleeues stripped vp. Then with standing vp andwishing well to the trueth attributed to him that should be first drawen,by both consents among the multitude they called a tall gentleman, saying:Thou with such a coate or cap, come vp: where roome with speede was made.He was commanded to holde his cappe, wherein they put the balles, by thecrowne vpright in sight, his arme not abasing. With like circumspection,they called at aduenture another tall gentleman, commanding him to strip vphis right sleene, and willed him with his bare arme to reach vp, and inGods name seuerally to take out the two balles: which he did, deliuering toeither Iudge one. Then with great admiration the lotte in ball first takenout was mine: which was by open sentence so pronounced before all thepeople, and to be the right and true parte. The chiefe plaintifes name wasSheray Costromitsky. I was willed forthwith to pay the plaintifes the summeby me appointed. Out of which for their wrong or sinne, as it was termed,they payd tenne in the hundred to the Emperor. Many dayes after, as theirmaner is, the people took our nation to be true and vpright dealers, andtalked of this iudgement to our great credite.

The former letters dated 1558, 1559, and 1560, should all followe M. Ienkinsons voyage to Boghar.

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The first voyage made by Master Anthonie Ienkinson, from the Citie of London toward the land of Russia, begun the twelfth of May, in the yeere 1557.

First by the grace of God, the day and yeere aboue mentioned, I departedfrom the sayd Citie, and the same day at Grauesend embarked my selfe in agood shippe, named the Primerose, being appointed, although vnworthy,chiefe captaine of the same, and also of the other 3 good ships, to say,the Iohn Euangelist, the Anne, and the Trinitie, hauing also the conduct ofthe Emperour of Russia his ambassadour named Osep Nepea Gregoriwich, whopassed with his company in the sayde Primerose. And thus our foure tallshippes being well appointed, aswell for men as victuals as othernecessarie furniture, the saide twelfth day of the moneth of May, we weyedour ankers, and departed from the saide Grauesend, in the after noone, andplying down the Thames, the wind being Easterly, and fayre weather, the 13day we came a ground with the Primerose, upon a sand called the blacketaile, where we sate fast vntill the 14 day in the morning, and then God bepraysed, she came off: and that day we plyed downe as ferre as our Ladie ofHolland, and there came to an anker, the wind being Easterly, and thereremayned vntill the 20 day: then we weyed and went out at Goldmore gate,and from thence in at Balsey slade, and so into Orwel wands, where we cameto an anker: but as we came out at the sayd Goldemore gate, the Trinitiecame on ground on certaine rockes, that lye to the Northward of the saidgate, and was like to be bilged and lost. But by the aide of God, at thelast she came off againe, being very leake: and the 21 day the Primeroseremaining at an anker in the wands, the other three shippes bare into Orwelhauen where I caused the sayd Trinitie to be grounded, searched, andrepaired. So we remayned in the said hauen, vntill the 28. day: and thenthe winde being Westerly, the three shippes that were in the hauen, weyedand came forth, and in comming forth the Iohn Euangelist came on groundvpon a sand, called the Andros, where she remained one tide, and the nextfull sea she came off againe without any great hurt, God be praised.

The 29 day in the morning all foure ships weied in the Wands, and that tidewent as farre as Orfordnesse, where we came an anker, because the wind wasNortherly: And about sixe of the clocke at night, the wind vered to theSouthwest and we weyed anker, and bare cleere of the nesse, and then setour course Northeast and by North vntill midnight, being then cleare ofYarmouth sands. [Sidenote: Iune.] Then we winded North and by West, andNorthnorthwest, vntill the first of Iune at noone, then it waxed calme andcontinued so vntill the second day at noone: then the winde came atNorthwest, with a tempest, and much raine, and we lay close by, and capedNorthnortheast, and Northeast and by North, as the winde shifted, and socontinued vntill the third day at noone: then the wind vered Westerlyagaine, and we went North our right course, and so continued our way vntillthe fourth day, at three of the clocke in the afternoone, at which time thewind vered to the Northwest againe and blew a fresh gale, and so continuedvntill the seuenth day in the morning, we lying with all our shippes closeby, and caping to the Northwards: and then the wind vering more Northerly,we were forced to put roomer with the coast of England againe, and fellouerthwart Newcastle, but went not into the hauen, and so plied vpon thecoast the eighth day and the ninth.

The tenth day the winde came to the Northnorthwest, and we were forced tobeare roomer with Flamborow head, where we came to an anker, and thereremained vntil the seuenteenth day. Then the winde came faire, and weweyed, and set our course North and by East, and so continued the same witha mery winde vntill the 21 at noone, at which time we tooke the sunne, andhad the latitude in sixty degrees. Then we shifted our course, and wentNorthnortheast, and Northeast and by North, vntill the 25. day. [Sidenote:Heilick Islands in 66 degrees 40 minutes.] Then we discouered certaineIslands, called Heilick Islands, lying from vs Northeast, being in thelatitude of sixtie sixe degrees, 40 minutes. [Sidenote: Rost Islands.] Thenwe went north and by West, because we would not come too nigh the land, andrunning that course foure houres, we discouered, and had sight of RostIslands, ioining to the main land of Finmarke. Thus continuing our coursealong the coast of Norway and Finmark, the 27 day we tooke the Sunne, beingas farre shot as Lofoot, and had the latitude in 69 degrees. And the sameday in the afternoone appeared ouer our heads a rainebow, like asemicircle, with both ends vpwarde. [Sidenote: Malestrand a strange whirlepoole.] Note that there is between the said Rost Islands and Lofoot, awhirle poole called Malestrand, [Footnote: Maelstrom.] which from halfeebbe vntill halfe flood, maketh such a terrible noise, that it shaketh theringes in the doores of the inhabitants houses of the sayd Islands tennemiles off. Also if there commeth any Whale within the current of the same,they make a pitifull crie. Moreouer, if great trees be caried into it byforce of streams, and after with the ebbe be cast out againe, the ends andboughs of them haue bene so beaten, that they are like the stalkes of hempethat is bruised. Note, that all the coaste of Finmarke is high mountainesand hils, being couered all the yere with snow. And hard aboord the shoareof this coast, there is 100 or 150 fadomes of water in depth. [Sidenote:Zenam Island.] Thus proceeding and sailing forward, we fell with an Islandcalled Zenam, being in the latitude of 70 degrees. About this Island we sawmany Whales, very monstrous, about our ships, some, by estimation of 60foot long: and being the ingendring time they roared and cried terriblie.[Sidenote: Kettelwike Island.] From thence we fell with an Island, calledKettelwicke.

This coast from Rost vnto Lofoot lieth North and south, and from Lofoot toZenam Northeast and southwest, and from Zenam to Kettelwike Eastnortheastand Westsouthwest. [Sidenote: Inger sound.] From the said Kettelwike wesailed East and by North 10 leagues, and fell with a land called Ingersound, where we fished, being becalmed, and tooke great plenty of Cods.[Sidenote: The North Cape.] Thus plying along the coast, we fell with aCape, called the North Cape, which is the Northermost land that wee passein our voyage to S. Nicholas, and is in the latitude of 71 degrees and tenminutes, and is from Inger sound East, and to the Northwards 15 leagues.And being at this North Cape the second day of Iuly, we had the sunne atNorth 4 degrees aboue the Horizon. The third day wee came to Wardhouse,hauing such mists that we could not see the land. [Sidenote: Wardhouse]This Wardhouse is a Castle standing in an Island 2 miles from the maine ofFinland, subiect to the king of Denmarke, and the Easternmost land that hehath. There are two other Islands neere adioining vnto that, whereon theCastle of Wardhouse standeth. The inhabitants of those three Islands liueonely by fishing, and make much, stockefish which they dry with frost:their most feeding is fish; bread and drinke they haue none, but such as isbrought them from other places. [Sidenote: Cattell fed with fish.] Theyhaue small store of cattell, which are also fed with fish. From Wardhousewe sailed Southsoutheast ten leagues, and fell with a Cape of land calledKegor, [Footnote: Cape Njemetsky.] the Northermost part of the land ofLappia. [Sidenote: The Monastery of Pechinchow.] And betweene Wardhouse,and the said Cape is a great Bay, called Dommeshaff, [Footnote: Varangerfjord.] in the South part whereof is a Monasterie of Monkes of the Russesreligion, called Pechinchow. Thus proceeding forward and sayling along thecoast of the said land of Lappia, winding Southeast, the fourth day throughgreat mists and darkenes we lost the company of the other three ships, andmet not with them againe, vntill the seuenth day, when we fell with a Capeor head land called Swetinoz, [Footnote: Cape Swjatojnos.] which is theentring into the Bay of S. Nicholas. At this Cape lieth a great stone, tothe which the barkes that passed thereby, were wont to make offrings ofbutter, meale, and other victuals, thinking that vnlesse they did so, theirbarkes or vessels should there perish, as it hath bene oftentimes seene:and there it is very darke and mistie. [Sidenote: Arzina reca the riuerwhere Hugh Willoughbie was frozen.] Note that the sixt day we passed by theplace where Sir Hugh Willoughbie, with all his company perished, which iscalled Arzina reca, that to say, the riuer Arzina. [Footnote: Varzina.]

The land of Lappia is an high land, hauing snow lying on it commonly allthe yere. The people of the Countrey are halfe Gentiles: they liue in thesummer time neere the sea side, and vse to take fish, of the which theymake bread, and in the winter they remoue vp into the countrey into thewoods, where they vse hunting, and kill Deere, Beares, Woolues, Foxes, andother beasts, with whose flesh they be nourished, [Sidenote: The Lappianscouered all sauing their eies.] and with their skinnes apparelled in suchstrange fashion, that there is nothing seene of them bare but their eies.They haue none other habitation, but onely in tents, remouing from place toplace according to the season of the yeere. They know no arte nor facultie,but onely shooting, which they exercise dayly, as well men as women, andkill such beasts as serue them for their foode. Thus proceeding along thecoast from Swetinoz aforesaid, the ninth day of Iuly wee came to CapeGrace, [Footnote: Cape Krasnoj.] being in the latitude of 66 degrees and 45minutes, and is at the entring in of the Bay of S. Nicholas. Aboord thisland there is 20 or 30 fadoms water, and sundry grounds good to anker in.[Sidenote: The current at Cape Grace.] The current at this Cape runnethSouthwest and Northeast. From this Cape wee proceeded along vntill we cameto Crosse Island, which is seuen leagues from the sayd Cape Southwest: andfrom this Island, wee set ouer to the other side of the Bay, and wentSouthwest, and fell with an head land called Foxenose, which is from thesayd Island 25 leagues. [Sidenote: The entering of the Bay of S. Nicholasis seuen leagues broad at the least.] The entring of this Bay from CrosseIsland to the neerest land on the other side is seuen leagues ouer. FromFoxenose proceeding forward the twelfth day of the sayd moneth of Iuly, allour foure ships arriued in safetie at the road of Saint Nicholas in theland of Russia, where we ankered, and had sailed from London vnto the saidroade seuen hundred and fifty leagues. The Russian ambassadour and hiscompany with great ioy got to shore, and our ships here forthwithdischarged themselues: and being laden againe, and hauing a faire winde,departed toward England the first of August. [Sidenote: August.] The thirdof the sayd moneth I with other of my company came vnto the citie ofColmogro, being an hundred verstes from the Bay of Saint Nicholas, and inthe latitude of 64 degrees 25 minutes. I taried at the said Colmogro vntillthe fifteenth day: and then I departed in a little boate vp the great riuerof Dwina, which runneth very swiftly, [Sidenote: Pinego River.] and theselfe same day passed by the mouth of a riuer called Pinego, leauing it onour lefte hand fifteen verstes from Colmogro. On both sides of the mouth ofthis riuer Pinego is high land, great rockes of Alablaster, great woods,and Pineapple trees lying along within the ground, which by report hauelien there since Noes flood. [Sidenote: The towne of Yemps.] And thusproceeding forward the nineteenth day in the morning, I came into a towncalled Yemps, an hundred verstes from Colmogro. All this way along theymake much tarre, pitch and ashes of Aspen trees. [Sidenote: Vstiug.] Fromthence I came to a place called Vstiug, an ancient citie the last day ofAugust. At this citie meete two riuers: the one called Iug, and the otherSucana, both which fall into the aforesaid riuer of Dwina. The riuer Iughath his spring in the land of the Tartars called Cheremizzi, ioining tothe countrey of Permia: and Succana hath his head from a lake not farrefrom the citie of Vologda. Thus departing from Vstiug, and passing by theriuer Succana, we came to a towne called Totma. About this place the wateris verie shallow, and stonie, and troublesome for Barkes and boats of thatcountrey, which they call Nassades, and Dosneckes, to passe that way:wherein marchandise are transported from the aforesayd Colmogro to thecitie of Vologhda. [Sidenote: The description of their Nassades.] Thesevessels called Nassades, are very long builded, broade made, and closeaboue, flatte bottomed, and draw not aboue foure foote water; and will cametwo hundred tunnes: they haue none iron appertaining to them but all oftimber, and when the winde serueth, they are made to sayle. Otherwise theyhaue many men, some to hale and drawe by the neckes with long small ropesmade fast to the sayd boats, and some set with long poles. There are manyof these barks vpon the riuer of Dwina: And the most part of them belongethvnto the citie of Vologhda: for there dwell many marchants, and theyoccupie the said boates with carying of salte from the sea side vnto thesayd Vologhda. The twentieth of September I came vnto Vologhda, which is agreat citie, and the riuer passeth through the midst of the same. Thehouses are builded with wood of Firre trees, ioyned one with another, andround without: the houses are foure square without any iron or stone worke,couered with birch barkes, and wood ouer the same: Their Churches are allof wood, two for euery parish, one to be heated for Winter, and the otherfor Summer.

On the toppes of their houses they laye much earth, for feare of burning:for they are sore plagued with fire. This Vologhda is in 59 degrees, eleuenminutes, and is from Colmogro, 1000 verstes.

All the way I neuer came in house, but lodged in the wildernesse, by theriuers side, and caried prouision for the way. [Sidenote: Good counsell fortrauellers.] And he that will trauell those wayes, must carie with him anhatchet, a tinder boxe, and a kettle, to make fire and seethe meate, whenhe hath it: for there is small succour in those parts, vnlesse it be intownes.

[Sidenote: December.] The first day of December, I departed from Vologhdain poste in a sled, as the maner is in Winter. And the way to Moscua is asfolloweth. From Vologda to Commelski, 27 verstes, so to Olmor 25 verstes,so to Teloytske 20 verstes, so to Vre 30 verstes, so to Voshansko 30versus, then to Yeraslaue 30 verstes, which standeth vpon the great riuerVolga, so to Rostoue, 50 verstes, then to Rogarin 30 verstes, so toPeraslaue 10 verstes, which is a great town, standing hard by a faire lake.From thence to Dowbnay 30 verstes, so to Godoroke 30 verstes, so to Owchay30 verstes, and last to the Mosco 25 verstes, where I arriued the sixt dayof December.

There are 14 postes called Yannes betweene Vologhda and Mosco, which areaccompted 500 verstes asunder.

The 10 day of December I was sent for to the Emperors Castle by the saydEmperour, and deliuered my letters vnto the Secretary, who talked with meof diuers matters, by the commandement of the Emperour. And after that myletters were translated, I was answered that I was welcome, and that theEmperour would giue me that I desired.

The 25 day, being the day of the natiuitie, I came into the Emperourspresence, and kissed his hand, who sate aloft in a goodly chaire of estate,hauing on his heade a crowne most richly decked, and a staffe of gold inhis hand, all apparelled with golde, and garnished with precious stones.

There sate distant from him about two yardes his brother, and next vnto hima boy of twelue yeares of age, who was inheritor to the Emperor of Casan,conquered by this Emperor 8 yeares past. Then sate his nobilitie roundabout him, richly apparelled with gold and stone. And after I had doneobeisance to the Emperour, he with his own mouth calling me by my name,bade me to dinner, and so I departed to my lodging till dinner time, whichwas at sixe of the clocke, by candle light.

The Emperour dined in a fayre great hall, in the midst whereof was a pillarfoure square, very artificially made, about which were diuers tables set,and at the vppermost part of the hall, sate the Emperour himselfe, and athis table sate his brother, his Vncles sonne, the Metropolitane, the youngEmperour of Casan, and diuers of his noble men, all of one side. There werediuers Ambassadors, and other strangers, as well Christians as heathens,diuersly apparelled, to the number of 600 men, which dined in the saydhall, besides 2000 Tartars, men of warre, which were newly come to renderthemselues to the Emperour, and were appointed to serue him in his warsagainst the Lieflanders, but they dined in other hals. I was set at a litletable, hauing no stranger with me, directly before the Emperors face. Beingthus set and placed, the Emperour sent me diuers bowles of wine, and meade,and many dishes of meat from his own hand, which were brought me by a Duke,and my table serued all in gold and siluer, and so likewise on othertables, there were set bowles of gold, set with stone, worth by estimation400 pounds sterling one cup, besides the plate which serued the tables.

There was also a cupbord of plate, most sumptuous and rich, which was notvsed: among the which, was a piece of golde of two yardes long, wrought inthe toppe with towers, and dragons heads, also diuers barrels of gold andsiluer, with Castles on the bungs, richly and artificially made. TheEmperour and all the hall throughout was serued with Dukes: and when dinnerwas ended, the Emperour called me by name, and gaue me drinke with his ownhand, and so I departed to my lodging.

Note, that when the Emperour drinketh, all the company stand vp, and ateuery time he drinketh or tasteth of a dish of meate he blesseth himselfe.Many other things I sawe that day, not here noted.

The 4 of Ianuary, which was Twelftide with them, the Emperour, with hisbrother and all his nobles, all most richly appareled with gold, pearles,precious stones, and costly furres, with a crowne vpon his head, of theTartarian fashion, went to the Church in procession, with the Metropolitan,and diuers bishops and priests. That day I was before the Emperour again inRusse apparell, and the Emperour asked if that were not I, and hisChancelor answered yea. Then he bad me to dinner: then came he out of thechurch, and went with the procession vpon the riuer, being all frozen, andthere standing bare headed, with all his Nobles, there was a hole made inthe ice, and the Metropolitan hallowed the water with great solemnitie andseruice, and did cast of the sayd water vpon the Emperors sonne and theNobility. That done, the people with great thronging filled pots of thesaid water to carie home to their houses, and diuers children were throwenin, and sicke people, and plucked out quickly againe, and diuers Tartarschristened: all which the Emperour beheld. Also there were brought theEmperours best horses, to drink at the sayd hallowed water. All this beingended, he returned to his palace againe, and went to dinner by candlelight, and sate in a woodden house, very fairely gilt. There dined in theplace, about 300 strangers, and I sate alone as I did before, directlybefore the Emperour, and had my meat, bread and drinke sent me from theEmperour.

The citie of Mosco is great, the houses for the most part of wood, and someof stone, with windowes of yron, which serue for summer time. There aremany faire Churches of stone, but more of wood, which are made hot in thewinter time. The Emperors lodging is in a faire and large castle, walledfoure square of bricke, high, and thicke, situated vpon a hill, 2 milesabout, and the riuer on the Southwest side of it, and it hath 16 gates inthe walles, and as many bulwarks. [Footnote: The Kremlin Palace.] Hispalace is separated from the rest of the Castle, by a long wall going northand south, to the riuer side. In his palace are Churches, some of stone andsome of wood, with round towers fairely gilded. In the Church doores andwithin the Churches are images of golde: the chiefe markets for all things,are within the sayd Castle, and for sundry things sundry markets, and eueryscience by it selfe. And in the winter there is a great market without thecastle, vpon the riuer being frozen, and there is sold corne, earthen pots,tubs, sleds, &c. The castle is in circuit 2900 pases.

The coontrey is ful of marish ground, and plaine, in woods and riuersabundant, but it bringeth forth good plenty of corne. This Emperour is ofgreat power: for he hath conquered much, as wel of the Lieflanders, Poles,Lettoes, and Swethens, as also of the Tartars, and Gentiles, calledSamoeds, hauing thereby much inlarged his dominions. He keepeth his peoplein great subiection: all matters passe his iudgement, be they neuer sosmall. The law is sharpe for all offenders.

The Metropolitan dealeth in matters of religion, as himselfe listeth, whomethe Emperour greatly honoreth. They vse the ceremonies, and orders of theGreeke Church. They worship many images painted on tables, and speciallythe image of S. Nicholas. Their Priests be maried, but their wiues beingdead, they may not marie the second time, and so become Monkes, whereofthere are a great number in the land.

They haue foure Lents in the yeere, and the weeke before Shrofetide, theycall the Butter weeke, &c.

They haue many sortes of meats and drinkes, when they banket and delight ineating of grosse meates, and stinking fishe. Before they drinke they vse toblowe in the cup: their greatest friendship is in drinking: they are greattalkers and lyers, without any faith or trust in their words, flatterersand dissemblers. The women be there very obedient to their husbands, andare kept straightly from going abroad, but at some seasons.

At my being there, I heard of men and women that drunke away theirchildren, and all their goods at the Emperors tauerne, and not being ableto pay, hauing impauned himselfe, the Tauerner bringeth him out to thehighway, and beates him vpon the legges: then they that passe by, knowingthe cause, and hauing peraduenture compassion vpon him, giue the money, andso he is ransomed.

In euery good towne there is a drunken Tauerne called a Cursemay, which theEmperour sometime letteth out to farme, and sometimes bestoweth for a yeareor two on some duke or gentleman, in recompense of his seruice: and forthat time he is Lord of all the towne, robbing and spoiling, and doing whatpleaseth him: and then he be growen rich, is taken by the Emperor, and sentto the warres againe, where he shall spend all that which he hath gotten byill meanes: so that the Emperour in his warres is little charged, but allthe burden lieth vpon the poore people.

They vse sadles made of wood and sinewes, with the tree gilded with damaskeworke, and the seat couered with cloth sometimes of golde, and the restSaphian leather, well stitched. They vse little drummes at their sadlebowes, by the sound whereof their horses vse to runne more swiftly.

The Russe is appareled in this manner: his vpper garment is of golde,silke, or cloth, long, downe to the foot, and buttoned with great buttonsof siluer, or els laces of silke, set on with brooches, the sleeues thereofvery long, which he weareth on his arme, ruffed vp. Vnder that he hathanother long garment, buttoned with silke buttons, with a high collerstanding vp of some colour and that garment is made straight. Then hisshirt is very fine, and wrought with red silk, or some gold, with a collerof pearle. Vnder his shirt he hath linnen breeches, vpon his legs, a paireof hose without feete, and his bootes of red or yellow leather. On his headhee weareth a white Colepecke, with buttons of siluer, gold, pearle, orstone, and vnder it a black Foxe cap, turned vp very broad.

When he rideth on horsebacke to the warres, or any iourney, he hath a swordof the Turkish fashion, and his bowe and arrowes of the same maner. In thetowne he weareth no weapon, but onely two or three paire of kniues, hauingthe hafts of the tooth of a fish, called the Morse.

In the Winter time, the people trauell with sleds, in towne and countrey,the way being hard, and smooth with snow; the waters and riuers are allfrozen, and one horse with a sled, will draw a man vpon it 400 miles, inthree daies: but in the Summer time, the way is deepe with mire, andtrauelling is very ill.

The Russe, if he be a man of any abilitie, neuer goeth out of his house inthe winter, but vpon his sled, and in Summer vpon his horse: and in hissled he sits vpon a carpet, or a white Beares skinne: the sled is drawenwith a horse well decked, with many Foxes and Woolues tailes at his necke,and is conducted by a little boy vpon his backe: his seruants stand vponthe taile of the sled &c.

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The voyage, wherein Osep Napea the Moscouite Ambassadour returned home into his countrey, with his entertainement at his arriuall, at Colmogro: and a large description of the maners of the Countrey.

The twelfth of Maye, in the yeare of our Lorde 1557 there departed fromGrauesend, foure good shippes well appointed for Marchants, which werepresently bound into the Baye of S. Nicholas in Russia, with which shippeswas transported, or caried home, one Osep Gregoriwich Napea, who was sentMessenger from the Emperour and great Duke of Moscouia. The foure shipswere these, whose names follow, viz.

The Primerose Admirall. The Iohn Euangelist Viceadmirall. The Anne and the Trinitie Attendants.

The 13 of Iuly, the foresayd foure shippes came to an anker in the Baye ofS. Nicholas, befor an Abbey, called the Abbey of S. Nicholas, whereas thesayde Messenger, Osep Gregoriwich Napea went a shoare, and as many Englishmen as came to serue the Emperour remained with him at the Abbey for thespace of sixe daies, vntill he had gotten all his things a shoare, andladen the same in the barkes, to goe vp the riuer Dwina, vnto Vologhda,which is by water 1000 verstes, and euery verste is about three quarters ofan English mile.

[Sidenote: Presents vsed in Russia are all for the most part of victuals.]The 20 of Iuly, we departed from S. Nicholas, and the 24 of the same, wecame to Colmogro, where we remained eight daies and the sayd Messenger wasthere of all his acquaintance welcommed home, and had presents innumerablesent vnto him, but it was nothing but meate, and drinke. Some sent whitebread, some rie bread, and some buttered bread and pancakes, beefe, mutton,bacon, egges, butter, fishes, swannes, geese, duckes, hennes, and all manerof victuals, both fish and flesh, in the best maner, that the rude peoplecould deuise: for among them, these presents are highly esteemed.

The 29 of Iuly, we departed from Colmogro, and the 14 of August we came toVstiug, where we remained one day, and changed our barkes or boates.

The 27 of August, we came to Vologhda, where we remained 4 dayes vnladingthe barkes, and lading our chestes and things in small waggons, with onehorse in a piece, which in their tongue are called Telegos, and with theseTelegoes they caried our stuffe from Vologhda vnto the Mosco, which is 500verstes: and we were vpon the same way 14 daies: for we went no faster thenthe Telegoes.

[Sidenote: The citie of Boghar.] There are three great townes betweene theMosco and Vologhda, that is to say, Yeraslaue, Rostaue, and Pereslaue. Vponone side of Yeraslaue runneth a famous riuer which is called Volga. Itrunneth into the Caspian sea, and it diuideth it selfe before it come intothe Mare Caspium, in 50 parts or more, and neere vnto the same sea therestands a great Citie, called Boghar, the inhabitants of which are called bythe same name.

The people of the said Citie doe traffique vnto the Citie of Mosco: theircommodities are spices, muske, ambergreese, rubarbe, with other drugs. Theybring also many furres, which they buy in Siberia coming towards the Mosco:the sayd people are of the sect of Mahomet.

[Sidenote: They arrived at Mosco.] The 12 of September we came vnto thecitie of Mosco, where we were brought by Napea, and two of the Emperoursgentlemen vnto a large house, where euery one of vs had his chamberappointed.

The 14 of September we were commanded to come vnto the Emperour, andimmediately after our coming we were brought into his presence, vnto whomeach of vs did his duetie accordingly, and kissed his right hand, hismaiestie sitting in his chaire of estate, with his crowne on his bead, anda staffe of goldsmiths worke in his left hand well garnished with rich andcostly stones: and when we had all kissed his hand and done our dueties,his maiestie did declare by his interpreter that we were all welcome vntohim, and into his countrey, and thereupon willed vs to dine with him: thatday we gaue thanks vnto his maiestie, and so departed vntil the dinner wasreadie.

When dinner time approached, we were brought againe into the Emperour'sdining chamber, where we were set on one side of a table that stoode oueragainst the Emperours table, to the end that he might wel behold vs al: andwhen we came into the foresayd chamber, we found there readie set thesetables following.

First at the vpper end of one table were set the Emperour his maiestie, hisbrother, and the Emperour of Cazan, which is prisoner. About two yardeslower sate the Emperour of Cazan his sonne, being a child of fiue yeeres ofage, and beneath him sate the most part of the Emperors noble men.

And at another table neere vnto the Emperours table, there was set a Monkeall alone, which was in all points as well serued as the Emperour. Atanother table sate another kinde of people called Chirkasses, [Footnote:Kirghis.] which the Emperour entertaineth for men of warre to serue againsthis enemies. Of which people and of their countrey, I will hereafter makemention.

All the tables aforesayde were couered onely with salt and bread, and afterthat we had sitten awhile, the Emperour sent vnto euery one of vs a pieceof bread, which were given and deliuered vnto euery man seuerally by thesewords: The Emperour and great Duke giueth the bread this day, and in likemanner three or foure times before dinner was ended, he sent vnto euery mandrinke, which was giuen by these words, The Emperour and great Duke giueththee to drinke. All the tables aforesayd were serued in vessels of pure andfine golde, as well basons and ewers, platters, dishes and sawcers, as alsoof great pots, with an innumerable sorte of small drinking pottes of diuersfashions, whereof a great number were set with stone. As for costly meatesI haue many times seene better: but for change of wines, and diuers sortsof meads, it was wonderfull: for there was not left at any time so muchvoid roome on the table, that one cuppe more might haue bin set, and as faras I could perceiue, all the rest were in the like maner serued.

In the dinner time, there came in sixe singers which stood in the midst ofthe chamber, and their faces towards the Emperour, who sang there beforedinner was ended three seuerall times, whose songs or voyces delighted oureares little or nothing.

The Emperour neuer putteth morsell of meate in his mouth, but he firstblesseth it himselfe, and in like maner as often as he drinketh: for afterhis maner he is very religious, and he esteemeth his religious men abouehis noble men.

This dinner continued about the space of fiue houres, which being ended,and the tables taken vp, we came into the midst of the chamber, where wedid reuerence vnto the Emperors maiestie, and then he deliuered vnto eueryone of vs with his own hands a cup of mead, which when euery man hadreceiued and drunke a quantity thereof, we were licensed to depart, and soended that dinner. And because the Emperour would haue vs to be mery hesent to our lodging the same Euening three barrels of meade of sundrysortes, of the quantitie in all of one hogshed.

The 16 day of September the Emperour sent home vnto our lodging for eueryof vs a Tartarie horse to ride from place to place as we had occasion, forthat the streetes of Mosco are very fowle and mirie in the Summer.

[Sidenote: M. Standish doctor of Phisicke.] The 18 of September there weregiuen vnto master Standish doctor in Physick, and the rest of our men ofour occupations, certaine furred gownes of branched veluet and gold, andsome of red damaske, of which master Doctors gowne was furred with Sables,and the rest were furred some with white Ermine, and some with graySquirel, and all faced and edged round about with blacke beauer.

The 1 of October in the morning we were commanded to come vnto the Emperorscourt, and when we came thither, we were brought vnto the Emperor vnto whomwe did our duties accordingly: whereupon he willed vs to dine with him thatday, and so with thanks vnto his maiestie, we departed vntill dinner time,at which time we came, and found the tables couered with bread and salt asat the first: and after that we were all set vpon one side of the table,the Emperors maiestie according to his accustomed maner sent vnto euery mana piece of bread by some of the Dukes which attended on his highnesse.

And whereas the 14 of September we were serued in vessels of gold, we werenow serued in vessels of siluer, and yet not so abundantly as was the firstof gold: they brought drinke vnto the table in siluer boles which conteinedat the least sixe gallons a piece, and euerie man had a smal siluer cuppeto drinke in, and another to dip or to take his drinke out of the greatboll withall: the dinner being ended, the Emperour gaue vnto euery one ofvs a cup with meade, which when we had receiued, we gaue thanks anddeparted.

Moreouer, whensoeuer the Emperors pleasure is that any stranger shall dinewith him, he doth send for them in the morning, and when they come before